He Couldn't Close GITMO so he's Opening Cuba

[planosteve]

President Obama announced sweeping changes to U.S. policy with Cuba on Wednesday, moving to normalize relations with the island nation and tear down the last remaining pillar of the Cold War.

Under the new measures, the United States plans to reopen its embassy in Havana and significantly ease restrictions on travel and commerce within the next several weeks and months, Obama said. Speaking from the White House, he declared that a half-century of isolation of the Communist country “has not worked.”

“It’s time for a new approach,” he said.

The history-shaping overtures come after more than 18 months of secret negotiations with the Cuban government of President Raul Castro. The final touches appeared to be arrangements for a series of simultaneous prisoner releases.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/report-cuba-frees-american-alan-gross-after-5-years-detention-on-spy-charges/2014/12/17/a2840518-85f5-11e4-a702-fa31ff4ae98e_story.html

[John in Plano]

good, about time a democrat started cleaning up the mess made by another democrat.

First legislation I want is to stop the open door policy of Cubans who happen to make it to shore of this country, followed by opening up all trade.

[GFB]

I think every President since that idiot Kennedy authorized that cheeseball kindergarten invasion, should be ashamed of themselves for not using daisy cutters, low yield nuclear weapons and other powerful weapons, on all the Cuban troops, and then invading to liberate that island prison.

[grouchy]

I respectfully disagree with your position.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_(politics)

[Red Oak]

I don't trust the Commie in the Whitehouse but it is time IMO.

[Kiamichi]

The only reason the sanctions against Castro have been kept alive is because of the privileged position it confers on Cuban immigrants. As someone has said, the Cuban embargo laws must be unique in that the only segment of the population that wants them kept in place is the same segment that is the only significant violator of them.

[grouchy]

Special treatment of Cubans is the only reason we have Ted Cruz as a US citizen. What a shame.

[Kiamichi]

Ted Cruz derived U. S. citizenship at birth from his mother, who was born in Delaware. His father's citizenship was irrelevant.

[Cowman52]

He's trying to figure a way to turn it back over to Cuba. Think there was some treaty in the early 1900's that put it under U.S. Control, Bet Holder and co are sifting through the fine print to find a repo clause.

[grouchy]

Ted Cruz derived U. S. citizenship at birth from his mother, who was born in Delaware. His father's citizenship was irrelevant.

His dad came here from Cuba. If he had stayed there he would have never met the mom.

[Sangersteve]

I thought it one of those famous Obama prisoner swaps, 1 American for 3 cubans and a kicker of dropping sanctions. Just what Cuba wanted.

[BigTex]

Any good golf courses in Cuba?

[scarlett~nc]

it's what JZ and Beyoncé wanted

[Kiamichi]

DHS has announced there are no plans to change the preferential treatment given to Cuban illegal aliens, i. e. automatic granting of refugee status and immunity from deportation, so the relaxations of relations with Cuba will just make it easier for them to reach the U. S.

[GFB]

Good..more hard working, industrious, Conservative, America loving Capitalists/Republicans.