CNN

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW STUPID SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE EVERY ISSUE IS THE FAULT OF THE RIGHT SO STUPID AND I LOVE ALL YOU RUSH HATERS BY THE WAY HOW'S RACHEL MADCOWS RATINGS DOING? THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THIS ADMINISTRATION AFTER ALL HE DID SEND THE BLACK CAUCUS DOWN THERE AND BY THE WAY NO OUTRAGE FROM ACORN OVER THE 200 PLUS MILLION IN BONUSES FOR FANNIE MAE NOT EVEN A STORY ON IT GOOD JOB CNN

Things are looking up for our GREAT NATION.

comment by byrd; regarding the godfather, it was not filmed in cuba, was sopposed to be cuba, but filmed in the Dominican Republic, so those beautiful scene your saw in the movie the godfather that was in Santo Domingo. which by the way has better cigars and very sweet women, who use cuban men!

Friends of a feather flock together.

Way to go CBC! This is definitely a start.

I would love to travel to Cuba...some of the best artists in the world reside there....beautiful music.....

A long time friend of mine had to 'escape' from Cuba nearly 50 yrs ago when he was a child with his immediate family...becuase of the situation he was denied knowing his relatives....this would be so healing for him.

Thanks,

I will love to go to Cuba someday

Mel Martinez needs to take an earlly retirement; he is one of the few standing from the Bush scum!!

I bet he will doo doo on his pants if he mets Castro

One big socialist party

Travel to Cuba is wrong and against the law.But travel to communist China is ok.Trade with China is what keeps China going.Time
to be a good neighbor and open up Cuba travel and trade beyond what is allowed now.

Personally I feel the embargo should have been lifted long ago/however it is amusing to read the posts on here from people who think that by doing so we are going to convert Fidel Castro to turn his thinking around/though he may be old and almost gone his hold through his brother and others is still there. make no mistake this is a communist country you are dealing with and you will see only what the government there wants you to see/Havana is beautiful go visit and spend your money but do not be fooled for a moment that any of this money will go to the people who live there/Dr's and taxi drivers can make the same and while education is free jobs after are hard to find/they have free health care but people still die because the medications they need are not available.

Great idea I think. How much tax can we get from a Cuban cigar

I think this is a great thing that they are discussing to lift the band on going to Cuba even if they do not pass the Bill. This ban is unfair to the people of Cuba who live there or want to to travel to the US but they do not want to deal with the troubles of getting back home. This is also unfair to those whom have family there and they want to visit them so this would be a great accomplishment if they pass it.

It's about time.

Only a Liberal would like to go to a country where the government charges Union Wages fro the peoples labor and gives the worker $20.00 a month to live on.

The Cuban Government is as trustworthy as North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and Vennezuala. Another photo-op for these democrats who think Cuba is great like their Hollywwod pals.

Who better to meet with the Castros than Bobby Rush? "Viva La Revolucion", right?

I never could understand how this country could do business with other communist countries, yet, Cuba was always treated as the bastard child.

Needless to say, lifting the useless embargo is long overdue.

@Lucy April 7th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Imagine. Obama said "And together we can change the world". The only other candidate I would have voted for is Fidel Castro himself. Imagine. Free health care, Free education. If you can keep people healthy and educated, you can't control them.
_______________________________________________________

Free health care and free education doesn't necessarily mean healthy and educated people.

Where is the report on the fact that a member of this Congressional delegation, all Black Caucus members, is quoted by Castro as saying the US is a racist nation?

It will be in America best interest to lift the embargo against Cuba. It's time to move America/Cuba relationship forward. Great job Congressional Black Caucus.

I believe Presient Obama will reestablish communications and negotiations with Cuba, which in turn, will honor Cuba with a viable place on the map, once again.

We were attacked by Japan in1941, but now, everyone in America seems to like driving Toyotas and Hondas, so I think maybe it is time to end the embargo with Cuba.

It's about time.
A 48-year old foreign policy that hasn't worked – in fact has failed – should be lifted on general principles if nothing else.
As for the FL Latino-repuglicon opposition – Deal with it, the revolution has been over for decades and you ain't gonna get any more votes from the new generation of Cuban-AMERICANS by ranting and raving about how bad Castro's Cuba is...

Will Castro stop Bloomberg and the MTA from increasing fares !!

Strange how so many people all on this blog have never been to Cuba spouting off like experts. Imagine the republicans who still believe America is still a superpower being afraid of such a little island.

Most Canadians hope you don't lift the embargo as over two million of us go there a year and it is pleasant to meet and talk with Canadians from all over our country. Wonderful people, increased economic interest from around the world, amazing beaches....food not so great...

This stupid boycott must end! Quit mollycoddling the elitist Cuban contingency in Miami and open relations with Cuba!
We lost 58,000 plus Americans in Vietnam (with the help of China) and now we are the best of buddies with both these countries because U.S. business smells money to be had there.
And WalMart is the biggest U.S. traitor of all by keeping the Chinese government and its factories humming along . (Don't forget, China's doctrine is to destroy all capitalistic countries.) What a great country we live in – full of traitors.

The only ones you will be hearing putting this down will be the republicans......God what does the GOP stand for anymore.......

Yes i can see that your audience is very inform in Cuban affairs ,but i can only tell you what i feel as a Cuban American. is not about any embargo is about 50 years of dictatorship.censorship,human rights,and killings without trial .so for all of you living in fantasy land and complaining about Guantanamo consider eleven million Cubans living in terror 50 years enough to risk heir lives in an inertube to get here.

Mohito's foreveryone YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally! We are a foolish goverment to have thought all these years we ahd accomplished anything by not allowing Americans to visit Cuba. Every other nation traded and enjoyed the people of Cuba

Funny how we have relations with other commie countries, but none with Cuba. I understand the pain that some of Cuban Generation of old have against Fidel, but let me tell you something: HE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT!!!! From the embarrassing Bay of Pigs Invasion to the embargo to the Mariel Boat Lift, NOTHING HAS WORKED!!!

Let's try some low-level stuff out first, like tourist visits, for one.

Normalization of relations with Cuba has been long overdue. This issue has held sway over politics in Florida long enough.

Imagine. Obama said "And together we can change the world". The only other candidate I would have voted for is Fidel Castro himself. Imagine. Free health care, Free education. If you can keep people healthy and educated, you can't control them.

I was born in 1976, I have been to Key West twice, I have always felt it was backward and foolish that I couldn't freely see this tiny country, it's good to see some calm rational opinions on the matter after only about 1/2 a century in the age of information.

I think its great that we are taking initial steps toward establishing relationships with Cuba but what is with the folks in the picture. Jeans and a t-shirt as a representitive of our government...give me a break! And the lady is the jump suit..come on! It embarassing that only one out of five had the professionalism to wear a suit. I cant believe no one has brought this up!

Lets face it, Cubans are cowers and were never able and never will be able to toplpe Fidel, nor his brother . They have been waiting for years for either the US or another country to do it for them. So in my humble opinion, open the doors, before Russia and Venezuela take over Cuba. It is to the interest of the USA to lift the useless sanctions. Lets go and build bridges, Martinez is just another GOPer idiot.

@Robert Gonzalez: Aren't you watching Obama? Taking property and rights from Americans is his favorite hobby! He'll be right at home in Cuba! He and Fidel can smoke a fat one and talk about the Great Socialist World Order – maybe invite Hugo Chavez.

Canadiansand a host of Europeans are basking in Cuba's hospitality, rich culture and tropical climate. How much longer can the US go on with the cold shoulder treatment? There are Americans who are finding ways of sneaking in through the back door to taste this forbidden fruit and the US knows it. Just do it!

Sad. Leave it to the Black Caucasus. I'd love to seem them paddling back to the US

Mr. Mel Martinez should move on into the 21st century. Most countries in the world deal with Cuba now. Are you afraid that communism in contagious?

Even an idiot is right sometimes.

What happens if you fall in love, with the oppostion???

"arguing that opening the communist-led island for tourist travel would perpetuate the repression of the "Castro regime."

More likely "how are you gonna keep them down on the farm, after they've seen Paree1"

The backbone of Democracy is commerce: new ideas, new people and a cash influx will do more than the silly embargo ever did to promote freedom.

Woohooo! Cuban cigars for everyone.

Martinez is ridiculous in thinking that any additional years of trade embargo is going to have an impact that the last 47 years didn't have.

It is time to put aside the strong-arm politics of the 50's that we have clung to for so long. The intention of the embargo (to economically squeeze and punish people into believing in the idea that democracy is better than their current form of government) didn't work. Not even a little bit. The Cubans made do. Even when the Soviet Union collapsed and their funds from the Soviets disappeared, they made do. No matter what the west tried, the Cubans survived.

The best thing we could do right now is open our doors to Cuba and establish partnerships with a people that is obviously strong and resourceful. Let's end this embargo travesty. The best way to bring Cubans into the hemispheric community is to bring them into the club, not to ignore them.

Get me a plane ticket. I want to go.

Great! It's about time.

U.S. enemy list wasn't getting any smaller over the last 8 years and it's time to use diplomacy instead of weapons.

Paula Newton! The Apple Queen?

Finally, finally my dream of scuba diving in Cuba will become a reality!!

Those of you who don't agree with the freedom to visit Cuba policy –don't go, stay home and continue on and demonstrate your disapproval and pout if that's what makes you happy.

Meanwhile, for those of us where the very thought that this silliness is finally ending is enough to make us giddy - visiting Cuba will make us very very happy.

Sounds like a win-win situation.

See that? That's democracy baby! So suck it up!

Look, our greedy American companies don't want people to visit Cuba because they can't get their filthy paws on the profits. Dubai treats its citizens and its workers like scum, yet US companies ran over there two on a mule to set up shop, because they got to get richer off of Dubai. That's what the opposition to Castro is really about.

OH YEAH, NOW THERE'S A GROUP WE CAN ALL COUNT ON TO FIX THINGS WITH CUBA . LAUGHS !@#@!##

Heck yeah...let's open trade with Cuba.

I am so tired of paying a premium price for Cuban cigars...

Why would anyone want to go to Cuba? Their natives are fleeing by the boatload and BEGGING to come to the US. AND not just any boatload either; these are boats that barely float which tells you they are taking their own lives into their hands to leave that place. That should tell you something about how much they love Cuba.

phoenix86 -- April 7th, 2009 2:05 pm ET

Another congressional delegation duped into supporting an oppresive regime. Idiots all.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sir, you are woefully out of step with the rest of the country......if not the world .

Hey Rush, I know making stuff up is part of the democratic agenda but Russia is starting to change back to their old ways and the reason Castro has outlasted almost a dozen presidents is called dictatorship. I am so sorry, reading is beyond most democrats. By the way, the Bay of Pigs was an idea started by a democrat.

So we've been trying this boycott since 1962 and it hasn't worked at all after 46 years. Sen. Martinez, expecting that it will suddenly work meets that definition of insanity. We've been traveling to the USSR and now Russia, China, Vietnam (all once or currently Communist) and to single party states throughout the Middle East and Africa and in many cases have seen human rights records improve. Not enough, but somewhat. The geo-political conditions for isolating Cuba at the time have long since disappeared. It's time we got smart about this and eliminate the sanctions. Given that no one else follows them, they are useless if not silly.

chelle -- April 7th, 2009 1:53 pm ET

I wish the Cuban-Americans would let go of the idea that blocking Cuba from tourism is going to help..........It makes no sense.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

chelle

It's only a very small minority of the Cuban/Cuban-American population that wants to maintain the embargo and travel restrictions. The problem is that this small minority is a very rich & influential group centered primarily in Miami.

The majority of Cuban expatriots and Cuban-Americans would like nothing more than to be able to travel to and from their 'homeland' un-impeded.

Or at least, that's what a Cuban-American Sergeant Major (US Army) once told me.

Great, now lets get back to making movies again in this country.

Open the door. Cuba will change. It is too small not to change.

Only a country like China could really withstand change for so long and remain so isolated. Cuba doesn't have the resources nor the geography to do that.

Since Castro has been schooled in both Capitalism and Socialism,
he could be converted to The Philsophy of Mixturism: business and government working together to meet the needs and desires of all the
people.
If we can let China buy our bonds with printed money, instead of printing our own, it is shamful not to deal with Cuba. We need to ignore that handful of people in Florida who want to put a Captalist
dicator back in power. Go to the internetfreepress and print you a copy of The Philsophy of Mixturism–no charge.

remember the godfather 2???would be cool if americans were allowed to have casinos and hotels there....cuba could charge us for use of property....and other countries allready visit some areas for recreation so we would make a profit too.....hmmmmm

The OLD US policy toward Cuba is a complete failure. It's time to move forward and and mend OLD wounds...

To my Republican friends I say...STOP living in the past...

Let the embargo continue so we canadians can enjoy cuba in peace

JFK started the embargo. This was not a Republican thing.

Linda Bailey – Good luck with the HOA. They will win about 99% of the time. You are bound by the contract which you signed when you purchased the property.

What kind of mess has the Congressional Black Caucus got us into now?

Do they do any good? Is ACORN going over to Cuba next?

Hello:

I am a Canadian that very recently travelled to Cuba (Januray 2009). I can say that I agree 100% that the embargo of 1962 has done nothing except hurt the people of Cuba, they have suffered for years because of this. Continuing, what to me amounts to a human rights violation, serves no purpose.

Cuban people residing the USA need to be able to see there families in Cuba more freely and send them $$ more freely. Other US citizens should be able to travel to Cuba freely.

Times have changed, and the strategy to try and bring Cuba to a democracy has changed. Punishing the people is not the answer and has never been the answer. By communicating and demonstrating the benefits of democracy, that would be a step in the right direction.

The people of Cuba are suffering and have suffered for years due to the trade embargo, moving towards change is the answer.

Tammy
Canadian that supports Obama!

Can't wait to hear Rush's take on this; Hannity short man might grow another inch over this one; hmm, maybe Glen Beck can host one of his Jim Jones remix parties over there! LOL.

@ becky "Thank you, President Obama"

I didn't see his name on the list of those driving this. I love the way Obama "fans" attribute anything good to him. And blame everything bad on someone else.

In fact he pretty much got an earful from Havana and ex-patriot anti-Havana groups for his poor handing of a Cuba issue during the campaign.

That we still have a trade embargo and travel restrictions in place with Cuba, and NOBODY else in the entire world does, is proof positive of the insanity of our right wing, which keeps these policies in effect. It is long overdue time for a complete reversal of these!!

Never understood why we can communicate and buy from China, the biggest communist country in the world and we can't from Cuba?!!!
AND I'm 65, so I've lived through this whole stupid thing!! Mt parents used to talk about going to Cuba when it was like Las Vegas and it was a prosperous and friendly place.

@ Sniffit says,

"A. Cuba's impoverished status is more a result of our refusal to trade or deal with them than from any "oppressive regime."

Gee – the ONLY way for Cuba to succeed is deal with America?? Really??

Considering America buys 90% of goods from China... and China has an open relationship with Cuba... tell us all AGAIN why Cuba isn't succeeding?

Nooo... it wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with the failures of communism, universal healthcare bleeding an economy, or any OTHER political ideal being embraced by US Democrats today that proved catrostrophic to the Cuban economy!!

(eyes rolling)

Here is my opinion of why dealing with Cuba is bad to some but will dealing with China is OK. Yellow people are more readily accepted than brown people. I think this administration goes past that faulty logic and I commend the group of congressmen and women who want to see an end to this strained relationship with Cuba.

Good for Cubans but not too good for us Canadians as our peaceful vacations will now be ruined with American tourists. I guess all good things must end!

Cindy Sue- You mean the way we Showed Iraq how to do it?

Hey Sniffit and other bobble-headed Democrats who blame the Cuban embargo on the GOP:

Did you forget Kennedy (Democrat) who started it?

Did you forget Carter and Clinton (Democrats) who continued it?

The Cuban embargo has NEVER been about threats to the US. It has ALWAYS been about electoral politics in Florida.

Grow up, for a change.

The fact that conservative and Republicans are petrified of comedy duo "The Castro Brothers" is just so stupid. What a bunch of cowards!

Time to lift this ridiculous, anachronistic embargo against a small country that in no way threatens the USA. It's absurd.

Well, with dual citizenship some of us can go to Cuba without hindrance. It would be even better if those who have only a US passport, but a genuine interest in visiting a beautiful and unique Caribbean nation, could do so too. Of course, the Cuban government should have a say in the matter taking into consideration any effect – good or bad – it may have on their island.

Woohoo! Cuban cigars and rum.... oh wait, they'll be taxed so highly we won't be able to afford them and Cuba won't be able to export them to us. Rats!

Lets see. Almost every country in the world is responisble for killing millions of people for what ever reason. We have traded with them for years with very little complaint. We laughed at Castro when we had a chance to deal with him before Russia became involved. Guess we won that one didn't we. It is about time we get off of our high horse. Oh, Greg. Read your history. I mean READ your history before making the comment you made.

Obviously the embargo has done nothing to improve the Cuban situation. Castro – and his supports – have been able to use it as an excuse for suffering in Cuba. Take away the excuse for failure and take away the perpetuated belief that there is a rebellion against the evil U.S. worth suffering for.

We will never succeed in convincing the current Cuban leaders to release prisoners and apply principles of democracy by bullying. Hasn't worked yet, to the contrary, it has, if anything, perpetuated the "revolution." The Cuban government has more to lose if we lift the embargo and the U.S. actually has a lot to gain.

As a Canadian who has visited Cuba – what a paradise! Great beaches and great people!!!!

Well people are finally beginning to see the light. A little negotiatian, a little compromise, and a little pragmatism will produce wonders. I mean it worked fot Hitler in 1938; why not now?

Reading the comments about the lifting of the travel ban to Cuba, I can appreciate how little many Americans know about Cubans, like me, who live in Miami (and in many other cities and countries around the world).
We were not all batistianos or corrupt, or the aristocracy. Those were the minority, not the majority. Most refugees were middle class people betrayed by Fidel Castro. The only achievement of the Fidel's revolution is the destruction of Cuba. I have family in Cuba, who still supports the regime, and they survive only because we send them money (dollars, of course, because that's the new national currency in Cuba). Please, if you visit Cuba, go beyond Old Havana. Visit other parts of the city and you will be very surprised of how different it is from the fantasy that many tourists see.

I like it. Give you democRats a long enough rope and you do the repugs job for them. thanks

I'LL DRINK TO THAT! UN MOJITO PARA TI, FIDELITO!!!

If Cuba had oil or cheap labor we would have had a strong relationship with them. They don't so every american president ignored Cuba for the last fifty years.

I understand JFK and his administration policies and even LBJ. However Nixon went to China, Bush I went to China and Bush II went to Russia, so why hold Cuba's communist ways against them?

The Cubans in south Florida hate Castro because it was their land he took. He took it because they were aligned with the reign that controlled everything and gave nothing.

yea!! i want to go to cuba! i would love to have a private chat with fidel castro, i find him fascinating. maybe we can enjoy a cuban cigar finnally, it's rediiculous how we get all those contaminated imports from china, heck even dry wall, but we can't buy cuban cigars.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OBAMA FOR MOVING TO GET RID OF YET ANOTHER BLATANT INSTANCE OF US DOUBLE-STANDARDS
Cuba is no more a dictatorship than China is and the Russia was/is.
Yet past US governments found it expedient to BULLY Cuba and devastate its citizens by the embargo while pandering to China and Russia because of sheer greed.

It is about time! This has never made sense and has been just a bullying tactic because of the Bay of Pigs debacle. What is most gratifying is the number of people that are supporting this change on this board. The majority of people that don't want change are Politicians. Democracy is contagious, but you have to be exposed to it to catch it.

Is that a necessary expenditure? I can't believe what I am seeing. Have we lost all of our good sense?

@ Rush says

"Opponents like Mel Martinez are afraid that the travel would "perpetuate" the regime???

That is so absurd given that Castro has outlasted almost a dozen American presidents."

----–

Hey numbnuts – Castro is a DICTATOR which is why he outlasted US Presidents (who have a maximum of 8 years).

Great idea, Obama, embrace Castro. You'll look just like Jimmy Carter embracing Hamas. Maybe while visiting Cuba – you can make another Anti-American speech?

American Ignorance and the Left's Idiocy on display!

My family was chased from Cuba more than 40 years ago all because we believed in Democracy. Our lands and businesses were stolen all in the name of equality and in order to fund a vision of communist utopia. Now more than 40 years later Cuba is still no utopia. The left likes to point the Cuban healthcare system and how great it is being free to all citizens. They fail to mention that most cubans who need an operation must purchase and bring their own sterile dressings, sutures and the like because the hospitals do not have them. The left wing media shows images of the glamarous beaches and night clubs and fail to mention that cubans are not allowed in those areas unless they are working. Before the Castro regime Cuba was one of the most modern countries in the world in which there were more telivision per home than even the US. Today its a third world country full of waste and despair. The people live in fear and poverty. Som so desperate that they jump onto make shift rafts meant to ferry them to freedom more than 90 miles across the most treacherous waters in the world. Thousands experience a terriblke death as they drown on their trek to freedom.

Ignorance, Pure ignorance on display by you leftist idiots who are in search of some new vacation spot.

It's a new day. The world is changing for the better! I hope they can work out an agreement, but talking is a good first step.

The great thing about a Cuba vacation is that it is off limits to the loud obnoxious stereotypical American traveller. There are rarely these types of people on the beaches. My apologies to the vast majority of Americans who travel with respect, but the bad apples out there really spoil the bunch.

I like everything Pres. Obama is doing.

Sniffit,

Thanks for making the distinction between the GOP and conservatives. They are indeed very different. Much the same with liberals and democrats.

Nothing wrong with conservatives and liberals even though they may see things differently.

The two parties stand for nothing.

Just a friendly history reminder to the republican/GOP/conservative bashers still out there, this embargo was put in place by the embodyment and the idol of the Democrat Party – John Fitzgerald Kennedy, so recently exhumed by our newest President in spirit,referances and quotations

To "Sniffit" and others:

Touche

"We must blockade the island, and make it submit to democracy." Thank you Mikey for those words of wisdom.

"Sniffit" and others – you'll no doubt find amusing a comment I read yesterday concerning the North Korean (attempted) missile launch. Another revealing example of what some of us think in the best approach to international relations – kick somebody's, anybody's, ass.

And I quote:

“Why not just shoot the thing down and let the world know that we will not tolerate such belligerence.(?)”

Is that a classic, or what? Stupid is incurable.

I hope and pray that the ban is lifted, I much I would love to visit Cuba this world is ours to see... What a dream that would come true, how nice!!!!

There are those who equate easing the trade embargo with somehow supporting or rewarding the Castro regime. I don't....and I support easing the trade embargo along the lines that President Obama has proposed. I think that it will be better for families...both here and in Cuba and I believe that, with certain restrictions on trading in items that have a "dual use" (both civilian and military...the same policy that we have toward trade with China), we can have a fairly positive relationship with Cuba that will benefit both countries.

Given the large number of communist countries that we trade with, I have never believed that the fact that Cuba was a communist dictatorship was the real reason...or even the main reason...for the embargo. I believe that the real reasons were: (1) the fact that hundreds of U.S. corporations lost a lot of money when their property was nationalized without compensation; and (2) as Florida was a key state in U.S. national elections, there was a lot of pandering to the Cuban-American community (which was mostly composed of anti-Castro exiles who wanted to overthrow Fidel Castro) in Florida by U.S. politicians. In any event, the embargo never worked and it's time for a change.

@ Stay Active – speak for yourself, your "generation" is full of people that can't wait to go there, myself included. Even if it's just because we were told "no" for so long. After all, we are the generation that could not take "no" for an answer to a lot of things. I fully intend to take myself and my money to Habana at the first legal opportunity!!

Don't open trade with Cuba, rather stop trading with other countries altogether. We don't need outside trade at all. Why trade with Russia, China, Saudi Arabia. It is time to close our borders and save America for Americans. US citizens should not be allowed to travel to Cuba or ANYWHERE else outside of our country at all.

If we lift the embargo on Cuba they might invade us and take over the country. We would then be living in communism. We should be very afraid of Cuba because they are so strong and we are so weak. Run for the hills! Run for your lives! Be afraid of your shadow!

Yeah, somethings in the air altright!

@ V. Clausewitz, who said "Pandering to thugs and dictators will work if we only give it a chance."

We already tried that when we elected Bush and Cheney in 2000 and 2004...pandering to those two thugs got us nowhere and their pandering to other thugs (e.g., Musharef and Israel) got us in trouble.

I've been waiting to visit Cuba for a long time. I can't wait much longer ("Bucket List" item). Can the Democrats "fast track" this bill, too? I really don't think there would be much opposition to this being pushed through the House and Senate. It can't be much more harmful than the "stimulus bill", the "budget", etc.

I'm really happy for all the families that might be able to visit each other again after so long. What a hope that must be for them.

Is anyone surprised?

Yeah, that's the way to lead people to democracy - FORCE THEM!

My opinion is that the way to get Cuba to accept democracy is to show them the benefits. That includes trade and tourism, moving American know-how of the 21st century into a country that was dominated for 50+ years by a man content to live in the past. Raul Castro appears to be more willing to modernize the country and the way to get that done is through negotiating, not threatening. The reasons extant in 1961 for cutting relations have passed and should be left in the past. We no longer govern in the same way we did then. The world has changed - move on.

"perpetuate the repression"...L-O-L

Einstein's definition of insanity goes something like this:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

@ Fair is Fair, who said "I think you'll find that many conservatives, myself included, feel this is long, long overdue. Like 30 years overdue."

Hence, I said "GOPers" not "conservatives." Although they usually go hand-in-hand, we'd do well to remember they refer to separate things.

Not only is the embargo hurting Cuba, it has been a destructive wedge issue used by politicians in this country for far too long. Batista apologists and McCarthyists say goodbye to your influence once the ban is lifted. No more Florida 2000 nonsense.

This would be one thing I think a large majority of people would agree should happen.

Cuba is closer to us the Hawaii is to the mainland yet we have been engaged in a "cold war" with them to no avail. It should be duly noted to those opposed that even our friends i.e. Canada, Israel, etc. have a trade and travel relationship with Cuba.

The U.S. has got to stop fighting the Bay of Pigs and start with a little communicating. Talking is always a good thing to iron out differences you may have between you and perhaps compromise when necessary.

Mikey, Mikey---– we deal with China every day. Why not little Cuba ?????

Its about time!! We can make deals with China and other communist countries but we can't even go visit Cuba?? The only people that ever suffered from this idiocy was the cuban people. Fidel Castro withstood Americas embargo and nothing good ever came from cutting off the island. Thank god we finally have a president with brains!! Of course there's gonna be haters out there. Let them hate, their time is over and their just sore losers.

I want to go to Cuba! Thank you, President Obama, for moving this forward.

@ mikey furlong, NY

I guess you'll just have to move to another democratic country that has a "my way or the high way" attitude to foreign relations and has an economic embargo on Cuba and prevents its citizens from traveling there.

Oh, wait a minute. There isn't another country like that.

This is long overdue. This is an anachronistic and pointless policy that has achieved virtually none of its intended goals. We normalized relationships with China and Vietnam several years ago and if anything, things in those countries have improved a bit because of it. It's time to do the same with Cuba. They're no threat to us anymore, and as far as I know, we're the only people in the free world who are not allowed to travel or trade with Cuba. It's high time to lift the ban, I say!

Why not? We borrow MONEY & Import from CHINA with out any scrutiny?
China imports inferior product that are dangerous to our health and boast a dangerous Human rights policy. The argument about Cuba is hypocritical at best.

I am happy that this administration is helping to promote positive change around the world. We are entering a new era in human relations. I am sorry for the people who continue to fight change, perhaps one day you will see how it will benefit your children and future generations.

Look at mikey furlong, NY, sputtering non-sense as usual.

Someone get a Wah-mbulance over to his house immediately, and possibly a history book showing the other "commie" countires that we have full travel access to.

First, let me make it clear that I am not a Fidel Castro fan – he lied to the people that supported what was, at that time, the overthrow of a horribly corrupt government – bought off by American gangsters.

Second, those folks in South Florida that vehemently oppose the Cuban government, and US relations with them, are, for the most part, the deposed aristocracy that was deeply involved in the pandemic corruption of the Batista government.

Third, I would ask those that still hate Cuba, Cubans and everything about the island – have you ever been to Cuba? Do you know any Cubans? Have you read any objective Cuban history?

I've been to La Habana Vieja twice, and very much look forward to more visits to that beautiful city – and it's beautiful people.

Well !!!! ------ Isolation, trade and travel restrictions have been in place 40 yrs to no avail. -- Time to change tactics.

Pandering to thugs and dictators will work if we only give it a chance.

It is about time, the Cuban embargo has not worked. It is useless and it does not hurt anyone but Cubans living in Cuba. Those Cubans who oppose this measure can do so from the comfort of their capitalist sofa in America with no worries....

Up next . . . opening up trade, tourism and bilateral relations with North Korea? Its the only way to deal with them launching their missle. Once they get a taste of our freedom, they will never go back. Yeah, right.

As for the comment about Castro outlasting about twelve U.S. Presidents, that is the beauty of a communist dictator, you don't have term limits.

@ Rush Limpbaulls, who asked "Why are right wingers (and some exiles) so oblivious to the truth that stares them right in the face?"

because it's inconvenient haha

Why is is that the argument that "trade opens borders and advances democracy" is alwasy tossed out the window when it comes to Cuba ?

That there are still Americans that beleive that Cuba is some sort of communist beachead threatening American freedom and democracy is outstanding in its stupidity. Likely the same people that beleive fluoride is a communist plot.

How is any rational person supposed to beleive, without laughing, that Cuba, with its rampant povery, faltering economic and industrial output, and outdated military is a threat to America is beyond me.

About time!! This impoverished tiny nation is no threat to America. It will be another American resort destination within a month of us lifting that silly embargo put in place sooooo many decades ago. If you want communism to thrive there, then keep the embargo and their only hope will be Russia. Lift the embargo and watch capitalism wash over them.

China is a MUCH bigger communist threat. Yet, we send BILLIONS of dollars to them every year in trade. Oh yeah....I didn't hear the repubs crying when BUSH wanted to sell our trade ports to Arabs. LOL

I have alot of Cuban friends down here in South Florida. I do not have an opinion and can only repeat what I am told. My generation...over 50 just do not want to see any money going to Cuba. This they say rewards the Castro policies. Their children, born here do not have the same opinion. They want to see their heritage. They want to see their extended families.

The only problem I do see is the "Wet foot dry foot" policy. You know, the plolicy that states if your foot touches dry land here in Florida, you can stay.

Why not, America's new policies under Obama are beginning to look alot like Cuba's. (Democrats don't get the seriousness of this joke)

@ phoenix86, who said "Another congressional delegation duped into supporting an oppresive regime. Idiots all."

A. Cuba's impoverished status is more a result of our refusal to trade or deal with them than from any "oppressive regime."

B. Hypocrisy must be ingrained in you GOPers from birth. Bush made friendly with Musharef, a military dictator via coup, while simultaneously trumpeting forcing democracy down Iraq's throat by removing an "evil dictator" and getting in playground-style insult fights with Hugo Chavez. Fact is, if you'd stop toeing the aprty line, you'd realize that there is great economic benefit to both Cuba and the US in stopping this silly tantrum-generated embargo.

Mel Martinez and others of similar ilk. It's over, stop it. The embargo for years has hurt the Cuban people. Change is coming in Cuba and let's try to make it peaceful. It's time for all of us to realize this is not 1959, but 2009.

End the embago. They have great baseball players and dances. Their only crime is kicking our gangsters out before most of us were even born.

Things have changed since the Cuban Missle Crisis. It is time to move on and have meaningful talks with Cuba, as we have more in common than just baseball.

"Mikey Furlong", are you serious? "Submit to democracy?" Democracy is embraced and desired. You submit to a dictatorship, not to a democracy.

Yeah Mike, because Democracy by submission has always worked. And it's not like Cuba was a democracy to begin with. Or did you forget how Batista rose to power? The U.S. has had no problem in the past with cordial relations with dictatorships as long as they are pro-capitalist (see Guatemala, Chile, El Salvador). The embargo has done absolutely NOTHING to change Fidel's or Raul's minds. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So why don't you actually try to LEARN something about a topic before posting.

Let the Cuban people be free from forced poverty under the US and free the Miami 5.

Or, are you going to send a Cheney death squad into the Bay of Pigs and blow some ships up again?

Americans can visit China or Vietnam but they can't visit Cuba? That doesn't make much sense.

@ mikey Furlong, NY, who said "make it submit to democracy."

The fact that your statement is an oxymoron appears to be lost on you.

"This is disgusting! How many Cubans died because of the commies! And now we're going to reward them with naturalized relations? Obama is a mess! He's gonna turn us into a commie nation like Cuba! This is a big mistake! The embargo must continue! We must blockade the island, and make it submit to democracy."

How many people have died at the hands of the Chinese government? We have relations with them.

"...make it submit to democracy."? So force them to submit to our will and wishes. Sounds more like a "commie" take on things than a democratic one.

Why do you hate democracy so much? Why?

Wha's the difference between China and Cuba? We owe the Chinese, and may be able to make soe money with Cuba. Open up the commerce in Cuba.

I am a Canadian who has visited the beautiful country of Cuba ten times. It is beyond comprehension how the United States still treats Cuba like it is a threat...
All I can say is this...the Cuban people are the most kind, generous people I have had the good fortune to meet; and they love Canadians and how we treat them with respect.
I am a very strong supporter of President Obama and hope he continues down this path of treating people around the world with respect and not belligerence.

If we have been trying this since 1962 and it hasn't worked yet, then maybe we should try something else? I am open for change and if this doesn't work, we'll try something else at that time.

@ Sniffit, who wondered:

"I'd like to see what the GOPers have to say about this…a little "fear fear here, fer fear there" with a smidgen of "boogeyman in your closet" and McCarthyism for good measure perhaps…with some shiny racism on top?"
___________________________

I think you'll find that many conservatives, myself included, feel this is long, long overdue. Like 30 years overdue.

SMART move by President Obama. We can't keep these OLD and TIRED policies against CUBA forever . Talks with Cuba should resume and we should TALK about the future and how both countries can find some "commonality" rather than making FAILED POLICY based on the past.

TIME moves on and waits for no one, and TIME changes breaks OLD HABITS and FAILED POLICIES and brings NEW possibilities to the forefront.

As Americans we can't keep living in FEAR and believing EVERYTHING BAD about CUBA or any other country based on what our Government has been "spoon feeding" us for decades.

We have more in common with other countries than we think and we need to start working towards a common ground rather than continuing in this senseless feud forever.

We don't live in a perfect world, but we need to learn how to "live" cohesively with other countries if we expect to live with some level of peace and NOT in constant FEAR.

If we can deal with China and it's human rights depressive communists self, we should deal with Cuba. This has gone on TOO LONG. My wife is half Cuban half African American. It would be nince for us to visit where her father is from and have the opportunity ti visit her family members that's left there on the island. President Obama, it's time you lifted these out of date sanctions so we as a nation can help this country prosper as a nation as well.

Lift all trade and travel bans with Cuba and watch the Castro's fall from grace. The embargos have only hurt the Cubans despite the rantings of South Florida Ex-pats. Wait till the see how much the spring breakers bring in cold hard american cash every year.

I have never seen a president who is soo active in his presidency before. President Obama is a gift. I only watch CNN to see him lol.

About time!

I cannot understand the previous administrations' attitudes towards other nations we regarded in not-so-friendly terms: No discussing issues directly, no negotiating, no acknowledgment that they even exist.

Yet even America would talk directly with the USSR, during the Cold War, knowing they were a direct threat to the existence of the US - With nuclear missiles pointing at us and ours at them. How do these nations trump those times that they could not have been directly engaged all of these years? Imagine where the US, and the entire world, would be, if we were not afraid to us talk to one another...

This is disgusting! How many Cubans died because of the commies! And now we're going to reward them with naturalized relations? Obama is a mess! He's gonna turn us into a commie nation like Cuba! This is a big mistake! The embargo must continue! We must blockade the island, and make it submit to democracy.

After 47 years, the Cuban embargo has done nothing to promote democracy or force change in Cuba's government. It is a failed policy of the cold war, and should be scrapped.

If you want to change the government in Cuba, introduce capitalism as a concept into their society. It's been almost fifty years since they have been able to contemplate that, and times are different now.

Holdouts like Martinez are pandering to the Cuban nationalist base.

Most of those opposed to lifting embargo on Cuba are already Americans who are still bitter about past political differences with Castro. Even some are former supporters of Fulgencio Batista who was no angel himself. If you want to punish a communist nation, stop trade with China! That would send a strong message.

As a Canadian whose gov't does not restrict travel to other countries, I visited Cuba for two weeks last month. The Cubans are amazing, racially diverse people who have a great pride in their history and have many trade agreements with other countries. Israel for example has a joint venture in their orange groves.

Yes, there is poverty but my hope for the Cuban people that they enter any agreement with America with their eyes wide open. The American investments before the revolution was mainly through the mob whose wish was to make it the Las Vegas of the south.

it's about time! I've been wanting to travel to Cuba. If we can deal with communist China, we can deal with Cuba.

Lift the embargo on Cuba. It is useless and detrimental to both the United States and Cuba.

Another congressional delegation duped into supporting an oppresive regime. Idiots all.

If America can trade with China (a known communist country that holds a lot of US debt), why can't there be relations with Cuba? I believe the US also has relations with Vietnam. I suggest that if Mel Martinez has beef with Cuba leadership, let him go there and express his concerns. Holding everybody else hostage is counter-productive.

Can someone review the practices of Homeowner's association fees
and the ability for them to foreclose on property due to hardships.Something needs to be done to help this group of persons who live in condominiums and this is just a way for them to easily acquire property. Also the amount of fees from year to year goes
excessively high.

We've been systematically impoverishing the Cuban people for far too long with our trade embargo. I'm so glad the Obama administration is moving this country forward in such meaningful ways. If we can trade with China et al without compromising the core values of the United States, we can certainly deal with Cuba.

What an ambassador of hope and global reconciliation our President is turning out to be!

I'd like to see what the GOPers have to say about this...a little "fear fear here, fer fear there" with a smidgen of "boogeyman in your closet" and McCarthyism for good measure perhaps...with some shiny racism on top?

I smell CHANGE in the air!

it's about time – cuba is not he buggie man.

I am very happy about this visit and the meeting with President Castro. Cuba is our neighbor to the south, just 90 miles from the coast of Florida. We ought to let bye gone be bye gone, President Obama need to take up on President Castro's invitation to discuss ending the embargo. It has been 50 years.

HOrray for Common Sense!

This should have happend a long time ago.

Finally someone fixing at least one of Kennedy's mistakes.

It really is about time. Enough of this nonsense.
Another good job by the Obama administration. Maybe if the economy picks up and I can get some money together I can visit before I die. BTW–I have no relatives there and am not Cuban. I just want to visit.

It is a good idea. We have to get into Cuba before the Russian or Chianese gets in

I bet there are some nice beaches there

Opponents like Mel Martinez are afraid that the travel would "perpetuate" the regime???

That is so absurd given that Castro has outlasted almost a dozen American presidents.

The way the USSR and China was changed was through trade and travel. Contact is crucial. The more, the better, and the faster that society will evolve.

Why are right wingers (and some exiles) so oblivious to the truth that stares them right in the face?

Besides, if I truly live in a free country, I should be able to travel to wherever I'd like. It's absurd that MY freedom can be restricted by some wrong-thinking dunderheads that are still attempting to "punish" Castro like in a 50 year long temper tantrum.

Republicans oppose just about everything that changes the way we operate, as if things are simply fine and dandy.

I wish the Cuban-Americans would let go of the idea that blocking Cuba from tourism is going to help. Other countries flock to Cuba. The US deals with other socialist countries or communist ones – why should poor little Cuba be dealt such a harsh hand?? It makes no sense.

I am still feeling good about the Obama presidency. I feel that these summits that he is attending ARE going well, in spite of what a lot of conservative posters are stating, and he is being received very well by other nations.
I used wonder why you naysayers (that's our new name for your group) would always say something negative, no matter what the subject of the article or action that Obama has taken. Now, I just accept you for the haters you are and let you keep on going. Even with this article about finally opening up Cuba, there will be some negative comment, I just know it. Obama is doing everything I want him to in an intelligent and pragmatic way.

It's about time!!

It's about time for discuss bilateral relations with and review new policies regarding trade and commerce between the US and Cuba

About time. The embargo has been useless and it's only hurting the Cuban people.