US and Cuba to Restore Full Diplomatic Relations

[Nefaro]

The one thing I don't like about this, is that Obama seems to have made this decision on his own with no consultations with Congress.

Maobama's standard M.O.

Sounds like he's doing it to make some kind of Nixon-to-China legacy for himself.  Something to point to as some "grand diplomatic success" after all the failures, circumventions, and scandals his administration perpetrated.

[LongBlade]

Sounds like he's doing it to make some kind of Nixon-to-China legacy for himself. 

The "Nixon going to China" deal was a major event because a staunch Anti-Communist - Nixon - was willing to extend an olive branch to China. It was a big deal.

This is more like "Fidel Visits Brezhnev."

[BanzaiCat]

Obama's been a naughty little boy, using 'presidential memorandums' as if they were Executive Orders to go under the radar, then sit and claim he's used the fewest Executive Orders of any President.

Bullsh!t.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/16/obama-presidential-memoranda-executive-orders/20191805/

[GDS_Starfury]

hmmm  I didnt get that memo.

[Centurion40]

I've heard from numerous people that Cuba is a great place to vacation, mostly because Americans do not go there and F things up with our diabeetus and large amounts of disposable income.

I know of some UK folks in my company that want to vacation there as they've heard good things from co-workers.

Honestly, it's been a long time coming, but if you want to vacation there, do it now before the cruise lines, resort hotels, and touristy sh!t ruins all of it eventually.

As a Canadian, I'm always amused by this "Americans will ruin it" attitude.  I've heard people blame: Americans, British, Germans, and Canadians for ruining certain vacation spots.  A bunch of loud, rude, drunken assholes can ruin a vacation- doesn't matter where they come from.

Now I've never been to Cuba, but I know lots of people who have been there, many have gone repeatedly.  The main things that I hear are: the food is mediocre, but the people are nice.  Maybe once Cuban-American relations are full restored, the food will improve on Cuban resorts.  But I can't imagine Americans "ruining it" any more than the Brits, Canadians and Germans already have.

[Centurion40]

.. all of which are owned by the Cuban government.

Not true.

Melia Hotels International owns many Cuban resorts.  It is a Spanish company.

Tryp Hotels owns many Cuban resorts.  Tryp is owned by Wyndham Worldwide, HQ is in New Jersey.

I could go on.

From what I am told, the Cuban resort workers fare a bit better than the average Cuban.  But that is not saying much, compared to the average Canadian, American, Brit, etc.  Whereas when one travels to Mexico or the Dominican, one tips the staff good service; when one travels to Cuban, one brings gifts for the staff.  Things like sunglasses, ball hats, t-shirts, school supplies for kids.

[mirth]

But I can't imagine Americans "ruining it" any more than the Brits, Canadians and Germans already have.

We're the Great Satan. We ruin everything.  ::)

[airboy]

.. all of which are owned by the Cuban government.

Not true.

Melia Hotels International owns many Cuban resorts.  It is a Spanish company.

Tryp Hotels owns many Cuban resorts.  Tryp is owned by Wyndham Worldwide, HQ is in New Jersey.

I could go on.

From what I am told, the Cuban resort workers fare a bit better than the average Cuban.  But that is not saying much, compared to the average Canadian, American, Brit, etc.  Whereas when one travels to Mexico or the Dominican, one tips the staff good service; when one travels to Cuban, one brings gifts for the staff.  Things like sunglasses, ball hats, t-shirts, school supplies for kids.

The international companies must contract with companies 100% owned by the Cuban Communists.  Gains from the enterprises go directly to the Cuban government.  Pay for the workers is not in foreign currency.  Cuba does this to capture all of the hard currency for the government.  What I wrote was true, but incomplete.  What you wrote is also true, but supports what I wrote initially.

If the workers could obtain hard currency tips and whatnot, then the need to bring "gifts for the staff" goes away.  What you wrote (which is exactly what I saw traveling in communist countries in the 1980s) demonstrates that the domestic cuban workers in foreign areas have to rely on barter from "gifts" instead of just money like everyone else.

[BanzaiCat]

As a Canadian, I'm always amused by this "Americans will ruin it" attitude.  I've heard people blame: Americans, British, Germans, and Canadians for ruining certain vacation spots.  A bunch of loud, rude, drunken assholes can ruin a vacation- doesn't matter where they come from.

Now I've never been to Cuba, but I know lots of people who have been there, many have gone repeatedly.  The main things that I hear are: the food is mediocre, but the people are nice.  Maybe once Cuban-American relations are full restored, the food will improve on Cuban resorts.  But I can't imagine Americans "ruining it" any more than the Brits, Canadians and Germans already have.

Well, admittedly, I heard a caller to the Opie show say exactly what you're saying - and he claimed to be Canadian as well. He was essentially saying "don't go there you a$$holes, you'll screw it all up," and the radio guys took it a few steps further in conversation. American dollars starting to pour in would mean prices would go up, effectively ruining it for those that enjoy their vacations there.

[Centurion40]

I can get a cheaper vacation to the Dominican Republic than I can get to Cuba. Americans are allowed to go there. Can't imagine a wave of American tourists driving up prices in Cuba, in the long run. Maybe short term as Americans rush (if that even happens) to partake of forbidden fruit.

[Centurion40]

.. all of which are owned by the Cuban government.

Not true.

Melia Hotels International owns many Cuban resorts.  It is a Spanish company.

Tryp Hotels owns many Cuban resorts.  Tryp is owned by Wyndham Worldwide, HQ is in New Jersey.

I could go on.

From what I am told, the Cuban resort workers fare a bit better than the average Cuban.  But that is not saying much, compared to the average Canadian, American, Brit, etc.  Whereas when one travels to Mexico or the Dominican, one tips the staff good service; when one travels to Cuban, one brings gifts for the staff.  Things like sunglasses, ball hats, t-shirts, school supplies for kids.

The international companies must contract with companies 100% owned by the Cuban Communists.  Gains from the enterprises go directly to the Cuban government.  Pay for the workers is not in foreign currency.  Cuba does this to capture all of the hard currency for the government.  What I wrote was true, but incomplete.  What you wrote is also true, but supports what I wrote initially.

If the workers could obtain hard currency tips and whatnot, then the need to bring "gifts for the staff" goes away.  What you wrote (which is exactly what I saw traveling in communist countries in the 1980s) demonstrates that the domestic cuban workers in foreign areas have to rely on barter from "gifts" instead of just money like everyone else.

Yep.

[OJsDad]

As a Canadian, I'm always amused by this "Americans will ruin it" attitude.  I've heard people blame: Americans, British, Germans, and Canadians for ruining certain vacation spots.  A bunch of loud, rude, drunken assholes can ruin a vacation- doesn't matter where they come from.

Now I've never been to Cuba, but I know lots of people who have been there, many have gone repeatedly.  The main things that I hear are: the food is mediocre, but the people are nice.  Maybe once Cuban-American relations are full restored, the food will improve on Cuban resorts.  But I can't imagine Americans "ruining it" any more than the Brits, Canadians and Germans already have.

Well, admittedly, I heard a caller to the Opie show say exactly what you're saying - and he claimed to be Canadian as well. He was essentially saying "don't go there you a$$holes, you'll screw it all up," and the radio guys took it a few steps further in conversation. American dollars starting to pour in would mean prices would go up, effectively ruining it for those that enjoy their vacations there.

So, does that mean Canadians should stay home since they're rude when then come to the US.

[endfire79]

No it just means talking heads on TV need a real job [emoji4]. 

Tourists will be tourists and the fact is they can be good for a countries economy. 

[BanzaiCat]

^ Pretty much.

It was just one obnoxious Canadianistaner. I'm sure Canada has their share of them.  ;)

[Centurion40]

As a Canadian, I'm always amused by this "Americans will ruin it" attitude.  I've heard people blame: Americans, British, Germans, and Canadians for ruining certain vacation spots.  A bunch of loud, rude, drunken assholes can ruin a vacation- doesn't matter where they come from.

Now I've never been to Cuba, but I know lots of people who have been there, many have gone repeatedly.  The main things that I hear are: the food is mediocre, but the people are nice.  Maybe once Cuban-American relations are full restored, the food will improve on Cuban resorts.  But I can't imagine Americans "ruining it" any more than the Brits, Canadians and Germans already have.

Well, admittedly, I heard a caller to the Opie show say exactly what you're saying - and he claimed to be Canadian as well. He was essentially saying "don't go there you a$$holes, you'll screw it all up," and the radio guys took it a few steps further in conversation. American dollars starting to pour in would mean prices would go up, effectively ruining it for those that enjoy their vacations there.

So, does that mean Canadians should stay home since they're rude when then come to the US.

No more than Americans should stay home because they are rude when the come to Canada. 

But such comments are hyperbole because anyone can be rude, and anyone can be nice.  It's bullshit to say that travelling Americans are any more rude than travelling Canadians, or Brits, or Germans, or Australians, etc., etc.