Well, this Obama quote on diplomacy is pretty refreshing

We cannot let ourselves be prisoners of past disagreements.
Barack Obama • Speaking at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. This quote somehow manages to ease relations between Cuba and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez all in one fell swoop. Nice job, dude. If you were Bo, we’d totally give you a dog treat. • source

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Lower restrictions Earlier this week, as promised, the Obama administration loosened travel restrictions for people with family in the communist nation. It’s a baby step to much looser restrictions, by the way. source

Lower restrictions Earlier this week, as promised, the Obama administration loosened travel restrictions for people with family in the communist nation. It’s a baby step to much looser restrictions, by the way.
Raul wants to talk Raul Castro, brother of Fidel and Cuba’s current leader, has taken this overture as a chance to thaw things. Castro said “that we are prepared, wherever they want, to discuss everything.” source

Lower restrictions Earlier this week, as promised, the Obama administration loosened travel restrictions for people with family in the communist nation. It’s a baby step to much looser restrictions, by the way.
Raul wants to talk Raul Castro, brother of Fidel and Cuba’s current leader, has taken this overture as a chance to thaw things. Castro said “that we are prepared, wherever they want, to discuss everything.”
A crazy history It won’t be easy. In the 50 years since Fidel Castro first led Cuba, the relationship with the U.S. has been icy at best. That trade embargo hasn’t helped, but this could be the turning point. source

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Restrictions loosened? Cuba, long a political hot potato, could see some loosened restrictions on the U.S.’ end, including Obama lifting a limitation on family travel to the country. The infamous trade embargo, which has been around for-freaking-ever, probably won’t go, but it could be the first step to easing relations with the communist nation. source

Restrictions loosened? Cuba, long a political hot potato, could see some loosened restrictions on the U.S.’ end, including Obama lifting a limitation on family travel to the country. The infamous trade embargo, which has been around for-freaking-ever, probably won’t go, but it could be the first step to easing relations with the communist nation.
Cuban-Americans want action It’s a bit of a carrot and stick situation for the country; they want Cuba to change along with their mood. “The Cuban-American community doesn’t want to give up everything for nothing in return,” said Andy S. Gomez, a senior fellow at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami. source

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Fidel Castro shown arriving in Washington, D.C. in 1959. (Library of Congress) source

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Fidel’s still alive Fidel Castro, at the age of 82, has remained out of the public eye for nearly two and a half years due to health issues (which remain a state secret). His brother Raul holds power. source

Fidel’s still alive Fidel Castro, at the age of 82, has remained out of the public eye for nearly two and a half years due to health issues (which remain a state secret). His brother Raul holds power.
His influence remains While he’s not out in public, he still publishes the occasional essay, suggesting that even if he’s not in charge, he may as well be. His brother has implemented few reforms since he took power. source

Fidel’s still alive Fidel Castro, at the age of 82, has remained out of the public eye for nearly two and a half years due to health issues (which remain a state secret). His brother Raul holds power.
His influence remains While he’s not out in public, he still publishes the occasional essay, suggesting that even if he’s not in charge, he may as well be. His brother has implemented few reforms since he took power.
Some good, some bad Castro brought reforms such as universal health care to his island (something the U.S. lacks, by the way), but it came at the cost of freedoms – including laborers’ right to strike and the freedom to dissent. source

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17 Apr 2009 20:55