Cuba Travel Opening up?

[El Presidente]

Sent to me this morning by a mate of mine Rob Sequin at Havana Journal. Not sure of it correctness but worth discussion

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Minutes ago the House Agriculture committee voted to pass HR 4645 that eases payment restrictions on US food sales to Cuba along with this language

Section 2

the President may not regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, or any of the transactions incident to such travel; and any regulation in effect on such date of enactment that regulates or prohibits travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or lawful permanent residents or transactions incident to such travel shall ease to have any force or effect.

What does this mean?

This mean any US citizen would have the right to travel to Cuba.

This bill removes the restrictions on all Americans so anyone can travel to Cuba.

Now we wait to hear from Speaker Pelosi as to when the bill will get to the House floor for a vote but she has stated that she favors the bill and will bring it to the floor in the very near future.

Be sure that your House Representative supports this bill. Even if they already do, please thank them for their support.

Read the updates here:

http://havanajournal.com/politics/entry/up...-cuba-bill-629/

Rob Sequin

Havana Journal Inc. (a Massachusetts corporation)

[Ken Gargett]

one can only hope tho you might want to check your title. that would be a nightmare.

[El Presidente]

Thanks Ken

[jquest63]

Wow! I will cross my fingers and toes, light a $10.00 candle in church and pray for bill to pass. I've not been to Cuba ever and would like to before a pass into the next life. Thanks for posting.

[Ken Gargett]

Wow! I will cross my fingers and toes, light a $10.00 candle in church and pray for bill to pass. I've not been to Cuba ever and would like to before a pass into the next life. Thanks for posting.

in many ways, a little catch 22. as good a thing as it definitely would be, and ridiculous that it is not permissible, it will instantly change the place.

[samb]

in many ways, a little catch 22. as good a thing as it definitely would be, and ridiculous that it is not permissible, it will instantly change the place.

As an American, I think I can say that we really do f*** with everything and everywhere we go. I dont wanna imagine a cuba with pizza hut or walmart.

[mazolaman]

That was the best thing about visiting Cuba,Imo,there were no chains that we usually see all over the world.

It made it a far more interesting place to visit.

It is,however,well on the way to capitalism,you can feel the desire for "Goods" in the people.I wanted to say that the ownership of goods does not bring any happiness,but having been denied,the Cubans are desperate for them.

Go soon,before it changes.

[skindiver]

There have many many such bills passed through both houses of our US congress, only to be comprimised by back door politics by the Bush administration via the South Florida /Miami Cuban political machine that got him elected. Though Obama has no such alliance, he'll be loathe to do any change in his first term. Given the mortality of the Castro brothers, and given the possibility of a second term for Obama, then you might see a shift.

Lots of if's there, no?

Loads of Americans disembarking off cruise ships in Havana harbor would make this American seeking a better harbor, too!

[skindiver]

There have been many such bills passed through both houses of our US congress, only to be comprimised by back door politics by the Bush administration via the South Florida /Miami Cuban political machine that got him elected. Though Obama has no such alliance, he'll be loathe to do any change in his first term. Given the mortality of the Castro brothers, and given the possibility of a second term for Obama, then you might see a shift.

Lots of if's there, no?

Loads of Americans disembarking off cruise ships in Havana harbor would make this American seeking a better harbor, too!

Let me add this addendum, all of the western hemisphere peoples are Americans, not just the citizens of the United States of America, We also have to include the Canadians, islanders, and South Americans. Yeah, Mexico, too!

[Ryan]

I could well be wrong but I think I remember reading that the US Supreme Court quashed the travel ban to Cuba years ago as it was restricting the right of a US citizen to travel freely outside the US.

The admistration got around this by making it illegal for any US citizen to spend any money there or on Cuban goods outside of certain very specific items (books etc.) as it would come under the "Trading With The Enemy" act.

However, whether this bill brings anything new depends on what is meant by the term "any of the transactions incident to such travel" in the bill.

If this means costs incurred getting there, that's probably no change.

Costs incurred while there would be a whole different kettle of fish.

[Ryan]

I have a question related to this, I hope it doesn't count as "discussing American Politics".

Cuban-Americans now are allowed unlimited travel to Cuba. Under the last US president they were allowed travel every three years or so.

Why is one class of US citizen allowed go and another not?

Surely there is protection of equal rights for US citizens in there somewhere?

[Colt45]

it will instantly change the place.

You're assuming that U.S. citizens are chomping at the bit to get to Cuba and will be descending like locusts. Even if that were the case, nothing

changes until the Cuban government changes.

As an American, I think I can say that we really do f*** with everything and everywhere we go. I dont wanna imagine a cuba with pizza hut or walmart.

As an American, I feel you're free to say you do. When you say we, you include me, and on that I disagree.

[DrunkenMonkey]

As an American, I feel you're free to say you do. When you say we, you include me, and on that I disagree.

You disagree that he's free to say what he thinks of his country's influence in the world? He's only allowed to express his opinion of what he, individually, does? What would be the prerequisite for being allowed to have an opinion of the effects of our foreign policy?

[Colt45]

Just to add, in all these years where tourists have come from everywhere on the globe except for the U.S, that's been fine. But if travel opens up

for U.S. citizens, all of a sudden things are doomed to change?

Rob posted an article some time back regarding foreign investment opening up for resorts / golf courses. I believe the investors are European

(obviously not U.S. at least directly). This isn't going to change the landscape, the "culture"? It's OK because it's not U.S. investors? Would it

still be OK were it U.S. money involved?

Look out, here come the ugly Americans........

[bassman]

I have a question related to this, I hope it doesn't count as "discussing American Politics".

Cuban-Americans now are allowed unlimited travel to Cuba. Under the last US president they were allowed travel every three years or so.

Why is one class of US citizen allowed go and another not?

Surely there is protection of equal rights for US citizens in there somewhere?

I believe Cuban Americans with relatives in Cuba are allowed to visit once a year now. And as stated, US citizen are not banned from going to Cuba, just spending money. Find a Cuban sugar daddy to pay your way & you're in.

I got "educational" OFAC licenses to travel there in 2001 - 03. Tried this year & was denied.

[Colt45]

You disagree that he's free to say what he thinks of his country's influence in the world? He's only allowed to express his opinion of what he, individually, does? What would be the prerequisite for being allowed to have an opinion of the effects of our foreign policy?

We're free to offer up blanket opinions, we're free to offer alternate points of view. The topic is simply allowing U.S. citizens the ability to freely travel

to Cuba if they so choose. Not any kind of corporate takeovers or government interventions. As such, I don't understand how U.S. citizens traveling

to Cuba is going to "screw things up", any more than for the past forty or so years, tourists from Europe, Asia, the Pacific Rim, or Antarctica have

"screwed things up".

[samb]

We're free to offer up blanket opinions, we're free to offer alternate points of view. The topic is simply allowing U.S. citizens the ability to freely travel

to Cuba if they so choose. Not any kind of corporate takeovers or government interventions. As such, I don't understand how U.S. citizens traveling

to Cuba is going to "screw things up", any more than for the past forty or so years, tourists from Europe, Asia, the Pacific Rim, or Antarctica have

"screwed things up".

My comment was directed more toward the possible "corporate takeover" that could happen as a result of opening Cuba. You are right about travel though, it is unlikely that any American influence would be seen based solely on allowing travel. Its just how I feel about American consumerism and many of the warped (IMO) values of our society. Just a bit of venting.

[mazolaman]

My comment was directed more toward the possible "corporate takeover" that could happen as a result of opening Cuba. You are right about travel though, it is unlikely that any American influence would be seen based solely on allowing travel. Its just how I feel about American consumerism and many of the warped (IMO) values of our society. Just a bit of venting.

I agree with this,in that,it can be depressing to go to any city in England,or Europe,and see Starbucks and McDonalds.

Havanna is great because it still has it's own Character.

It isn't a slight against the USA,but agressive capitalism,that I feel will ruin Cuba.

[El Presidente]

pretty simple isn't it? Ban any form of external product or brand advertising. Other cities have done it and Havana/Santiago etc should be no different. There should be no arches visible in Havana as there should be no signs for Toyota or Honda. Make the city an architectural Heritage zone and be done with it.

As for the rest of it...I look forward to having a cigar with Jimmy, Ross, Neil, Rob etc etc etc in a place I love and consider my second home.

[BeeStinga]

pretty simple isn't it? Ban any form of external product or brand advertising. Other cities have done it and Havana/Santiago etc should be no different. There should be no arches visible in Havana as there should be no signs for Toyota or Honda. Make the city an architectural Heritage zone and be done with it.

As for the rest of it...I look forward to having a cigar with Jimmy, Ross, Neil, Rob etc etc etc in a place I love and consider my second home.

I agree, went up to Zermat village a couple of years ago (foot of Materhorn in Switzerland), all petrol motors banned etc etc and strict building regulations to keep the 'traditional' feel of the place. What do you know, big golden arches in the middle of town, I think I let out an audible sigh when I saw that. You can never fight progress, only slow it down... but it would be a shame to loose the character of Cuba. This would probably be detrimental to a future tourism industry which is one of the primary opportunities in its future. I would hope they would go down the track as you suggest here Prez'. At the end of the day it is inevatable that trade slowly open up between these neighbours at some time. But who really know's when?

[sloth]

You can never fight progress, only slow it down...

Or you can do what a few immigrants did in my town and build a successful restaurant out of an Amigo's building. (Amigo's being a local fast food chain)

We also have a Chinese restaurant in what use to be a KFC.

[mazolaman]

This is where I think Raul has a good chance.To open up a little,yet retain some of the social ideals.

It's a tricky thing to achieve,but it would be great for Cuba to try it.

[Ken Gargett]

consider my second home.

i thought that was my balcony.

[jquest63]

in many ways, a little catch 22. as good a thing as it definitely would be, and ridiculous that it is not permissible, it will instantly change the place.

Agreed, change would likely occur, both desirable and undersirable. How the changes are perceived will vary by individual.

[MontrealRon]

What do you know, big golden arches in the middle of town, I think I let out an audible sigh when I saw that. You can never fight progress, only slow it down...

Golden arches = progress, or cancer?

And, yes, cancer can be defeated!