Fidel Castro meets with 3 visiting U.S. lawmakers

No one should be surprised at who went to this party. Barbara Lee and Bobby Rush himself (and he was a personal friend of my dad's believe it or not) are both communists to the core. They simply turned the other cheek when asked about, as I will call them just to keep a moderate debate, allegations into political prisoners, racism that does indeed exist on Cuba, and their real goal for meeting with him.

Skip: funny how the Afro-cubanos are the ones that have kept Castro in power. And funny how the Miami Cubans still discriminate against Afro-cubanos who flee the island - Miami is so bad to them they have to head to New York's Afro-hispanic communities. This is the mistake the US has never seemed to switch on to - Castro emancipated the black Cuban from medieval style persecution so not surprised the black caucus sees something of a respectable man in him.

while Cuban officials publicly call for an end to the trade embargo, they strive to antagonize Washington so it will keep the sanctions in place. The critics say Cuban leaders want to be able to blame the country’s problems—from restricted public Internet access to chronic food shortages—on trade sanctions.

This is about the only statement in this article that makes sense. Why is it that if the rest of the world can trade with Cuba and people travel there from differnt points but not American, that Cuba is still in such a crisis? When was the last time that a bunch of people got into rafts and sailed to the "island paradise" that is Cuba. Cuba's problems are a result of its own internal governance of a failed system. If NK can put a "satellite" into space with the US embargo in place, why can't Cuba take care of its own problems.

I believe the CBC would best be described as a bunch of useful idots.

Alphaape: you missed your vine there old chap. Cuba's problems are caused directly by the US embargo. Look up the meaning of "embargo" and see what it means. What rest of the world trades with Cuba? Cuba buys on the black market or through indirect swaps - the US turns a blind eye when the swap partner is a friend - Canada, Japan... the swaps are usually medical machinery - hoppers, sorters etc., bagus burners... You've never been to Cuba have you?

unscrejects: I don't think I missed my vine. Plenty of goods get into Cuba. No I have not been to Cuba and have no desire. But I still ask you this, when was the last time a boat load of people made the 90 mile trek from Florida to Cuba? Cubans sent plenty of troops to Angola back in the 70's, so you mean to tell me that while they were under the Soviet umbrella they couldn't take care of their problems, and now that the Soviet Union (who has decided to start flying back long range bombers there and sending warships to visit) can't support their old friend any more or openly trade with them since they do it with other countries that the U.S. has embargo's with that Cuba can't get on their feet. The problem lies within its own borders. Blaming the US is just a way to use the old "smoke and mirrors" ruse.

Alphaape: I was in Angola in '83 - besides the Cubans, Soviets and N.Koreans guess who else was staying in the same complex with me? Tenneco and Gulf Oil personnel! We all sat down together (except the N.Koreans - they spent the time dusting their Benzs with huge feather dusters) to watch the sun go down drinking whatever somebody brought. The Cubans protected the US oil workers from Savimbi and Roberto Holden's men. The oil they pumped out of Cabinda went into the US airforce. The very planes that enforced the embargo against Cuba flew on A1-Jet Fuel pumped out of Angola under the nasty Cuban soldiers protection. Ironical? The embargo is a nasty business. You have no idea what happens at sea around Cuba. The Russians stopped trade with Cuba because the US said, "Take your pick - trade in the US market sphere or trade with Cuba alone?" Put it to you this way - Gorbachov is the most unpoplar person in Habana. He is the traitor of all traitors they say.

unscrejects: I don't doubt your claims about being in Angola, since I wasn't there. The fact the Gorby is not liked in Habana probably puts it all in perspective. Cuba has laid claims that all is well from the revolution, and if it is so, then God Bless them. But I know the U.S. trades with its other enemies. Why during the height of the cold war did we send wheat and grain to the Soviets, and I could list many more examples of how policy says one thing, and actions say another.

But right now, the U.S. problem is that too many people want to get in the position of trying to dictate the U.S. policy, when by all accounts they should be taking care of business here. Funny thing, most of the Cubans tend to vote Republican, and the CBC is all Democratic. The leading Democrat on this trip is from CA. I guess there really is a market for the LA to Habana direct flights. This is just an "low hanging fruit" measure by their part (and I am Black too and I can see through this). They should focus on trying to restart the economy here, than worrying about Cuba.

If Cuba has proven that it can make it without the U.S. trade, then let them continue on. If they want more trade, then do like Lybia, make a few changes (Kadaffi is still in power and we are dealing with him) and still proclaim the glory of the revolution, but do just enough to let the embargo lift.