U.S. remains invested in a calcified Cuban doctrine

[Mika]

U.S. remains invested in a calcified Cuban doctrine

So why are we still mad at Cuba?

Are they the only nation in the Western Hemisphere with a lousy human rights record? Or just the only one that doesn't have something we need ... like oil?

When I say "we" of course, I mean our politicians. Most of the rest of us have gotten over it.

Heck, Santa Fe College's foundation is hosting an excursion to Cuba in March. The trip has even been sanctioned by the feds via a People to People Cultural Exchange License.

But apparently they are still fighting the Cold War in Tallahassee....

More ... http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140216/COLUMNISTS/140219680/-1/TOPIC0319?p=all&tc=pgall

[DonViejo]

1. The author of the article answered his own question...

Mostly we are still fighting the Cold War over Cuba because the politicians are invested in a doctrine that is nearly as calcified as the embargo itself: Namely that the crucial Cuban-American voting bloc demands it. But you have to wonder if that's still true.

A recent poll conducted by the Atlantic Council found that South Florida residents, those of Cuban origin included, overwhelmingly favor normalizing relations with Cuba. And the reason may be the federal government's loosening of travel restrictions to the islands.

"The more familiar people become with what's going on in Cuba, the more supportive they become of a change in Cuba policy," Carlos Saladrigas, a Cuban-American businessman told the Miami Herald recently. "When they travel, they come back with a renewed focus on helping the Cuban people and not being so obsessed with hurting the Castro government."

"...the reason may be the federal government's loosening of travel restrictions to the islands."

Hmmm. Wonder why the author doesn't call it what is; the Obama administration's loosening of travel restrictions to the islands." In fact:

Obama loosens travel restrictions to Cuba

By Mary Beth Sheridan
Saturday, January 15, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011406748.html

and

Obama to Loosen Restrictions on Policy With Cuba - NYTimes.com
The New York Times

Apr 4, 2009 - WASHINGTON — President Obama plans to abandon longstanding restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba, an administration ...

[Mika]

2. Florida has its own laws regarding Cuba exchanges ...

The story in the OP is about Florida politics.

For example ...

Fla. marine scientists blocked from Cuba research

{snip}

They're doing work that could benefit Florida. They're just not from USF, the University of Florida or Florida State University.

"We are connected," said Donald Behringer, an assistant professor at UF's School of Forest Resources and Conservation & Emerging Pathogens Institute. "In order to understand our own ecosystem we also have to understand Cuba's.

"Unfortunately, it is more difficult for us in Florida than any other state in the United States to work with Cuba."

Senate Bill 2434, titled "Travel To Terrorist State," forbids money that flows through a state university -- including grants from private foundations -- to be used for travel to a nation on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Cuba is on the list.

Sponsored by former Senate President Mike Haridopolos, the bill was passed in 2006 without a single no vote in either the Florida House or Senate then signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush.

Florida is the only state in the country with such a prohibition.

More --> http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/02/15/fla-marine-scientists-blocked-from-cuba-research/

[Judi Lynn]

3. Great seeing this article in a Florida newspaper, Mika. Thank you. n/t