Senate restores aid to Cuban opposition

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Senate restores aid to Cuban opposition
Posted on Fri, Sep. 07, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY PABLO BACHELET
[e-mail]

WASHINGTON -- The Senate agreed Thursday to restore President Bush's requested $47 million funding for Cuban opposition groups in a foreign operations spending bill.

Until now, the Senate had not made any pronouncements on Cuba policy. With the House and Senate in agreement on the levels of dissident aid for Cuba, the increase in funding is almost certain to become law.
(snip)

The Senate approved an amendment to increase the funding by unanimous consent.

It was presented by Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez and co-sponsored by Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and Democratic Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Bill Nelson of Florida.

The increase is the latest setback for opponents of U.S. policy toward Cuba, who argue that the aid is ineffective in bringing democracy to the island and that more engagement with the Castro government stands a better chance of producing democratic changes.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/228495.html

[kdmorris]

1. That's just f***ing great.

So much for the hope that they would turn around the policies in place regarding Cuba. This would seem to indicate that they are in agreement with keeping the strict (and stupid) laws in place. No travel to Cuba, even by ex-patriot Cubans, unless they have immediate family in Cuba and then... only every three years.

A friend of mine has an aunt and several cousins still living in Cuba. She left Cuba in 1981, at the age of 18. Her aunt practically raised her, because her mother was often sick. She is never allowed to see her aunt again, unless she spends lots of money flying to South American first and then flying back to Cuba. And she can't use her American passport. She has to use her American passport to Venezuela and then use her Cuban passport from Venezuela to Cuba. And she risks being fined thousands of dollars if caught.

She "smuggles" stuff into Cuba using a couple of methods, mainly by having someone who is legally allowed to go to Cuba pack items in their suitcase to take to her family. She pays them, of course, but it's cheaper than sending packages to Spain and then to Cuba.

How do these sorts of stupid laws help anything? If her aunt dies, she is not allowed to attend the funeral. How does that help "bring democracy" to Cuba?

[cali]

7. Actually, it doesn't mean that they are in agreement

about these idiotic laws. Several folks who voted for it have spoken out against those laws.

[kdmorris]

10. Well, that's true

But no one seems to be introducing anything that will overturn those laws. So, if they are voting for something that gives more money to the "opposition" in Miami and they are not writing or voting for laws that actually help get the idiotic laws over turned, isn't it the same thing as being in agreement?

[cali]

13. No, it's not.

Crafting legislation as complex as this, with as many components, means you give on some areas in order to gain on others. This bill overturns the global gag order. That's a biggie. And I'll bet you see some legislation introduced within the next year that eases restrictions on travel to Cuba and sending money.

[kdmorris]

14. I will look forward to it then

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you. It is complex. But I would like to see them do something to overturn these "idiotic" laws.

[BornagainDUer]

17. You are a great example of the arrogant imperialistic mindset.

You presuppose YOU have a right to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation for some goddamn idiotic notion of democracy when your own country is a fascist dictatorship.
Clean your own house before you try to clean others.

[tkmorris]

18. Ummm, it's the US interfering in Cuba's affairs

She is OPPOSED to this interference. Pay attention sir, there will be a test later.

[ohio2007]

2. "Senate approved an amendment...by unanimous consent"

How many "no shows" or "did not vote" were there ?

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. This is not recorded

As it was by unanamous consent, the assumption is that everyone agreed to it. Senators are usually notified in advance of these, so that they can show up and object if they want.

[ohio2007]

20. CYA

but they can always deny backing the bill, all 100 of them, on thier own terms.


spineless flip floppers

[Vidar]

3. Assholes!

[acmavm]

4. WTF??? Then let these fools take the money out of their own

paychecks to cover this 47 million that the taxpayers (the middle and lower classes) cannot afford.

[Mika]

5. More money for the grubby fingered anti Cuba industry in Miami

Let the celebration$ begin resume for the anti Cuba indu$try in Miami who are $camming our tax dollar$. :party:

Imagine how Americans would feel if Iran (for example) started funding "opposition" "dissident" groups (with histories in terrorism) in the US. Would there be DUers mewling on about how just this would be, as they do about US financing of "dissidents" (with histories of connections to terrorism) in Cuba?


-

[cali]

6. This is a big budget with a lot in it

I don't know enough about it yet to make a judgement about it. I do know that it includes $500 million + for educational and cultural exchange programs, primarily with Muslim countries, $1 billion for rebuilding Afghanistan, funds to aid refugees from Iraq and Sudan, and it overturns restrictions on family planning organizations that perform abortions. For that reason, bush has said he'll veto it. No, we shouldn't be funding the Cuban opposition, but getting a huge $35 billion dollar budget passed, is invariably about compromise. I know a lot of folks here, don't want to believe that compromise is a necessary part of governing, particularly when you have the slimmest of majoritis, but it is. Yeah it sucks. And if we had a few more dems in the Senate, there'd be the opportunity to do away with this kind of funding.

[killbotfactory]

8. They don't need our aid

And true reformers in Cuba don't want it. This will just get people arrested, because it is as illegal as what Mr. Hsu did for Clinton.

[BornagainDUer]

9. Neoliberalism at its finest.

[kdmorris]

11. huh?

[ProudDad]

15. F*ck the democrats

Viva Socialismo...

Cuba Siempre...


This is another horrendous waste of our tax dollars. The Cuban People are Socialists except for a lunatic fringe -- the bunch they'll send this money to...

Imagine if Castro sent money to the Socialist Workers Party in the U.S.!!!

The U.S. govt. is a bunch of Fucking hypocrites in the pocket of big business!!! Screw 'em...

[Judi Lynn]

16. We do know our Congress is doing something concerning the "dissidents" which is actually

not allowed here, were the situation reversed. It's ILLEGAL here.

How intelligent, and fair is that?

That's some lobby the gusano slime in Miami have. You may remember they wrecked the political career when Democratic Congressman David Skaggs attempted to cut the budget on their pork barrel bonanza, Radio/TV Marti, the pathetic propaganda stations booming right-wing Miami crap to Cuba, managed by Cuban "exiles," staffed by Cuban "exiles," and programmed entirely by Cuban "exiles."

At least they have lost their most powerful proponents, Ronald Reagan, and Jesse Helms, and Tom DeLay.

[IndianaGreen]

19. What was the point of having a Democratic Senate when they are no different from GOP?

What a bunch of assholes! Fuck them! Damn them!

[ohio2007]

21. the "polls" indicate that if they want to be reelected, they need to

closely monitor puplic reactions and do what the majority 'feel ' is the right thing to do ..at the time.

[IndianaGreen]

22. The majority wants us out of Iraq, and the Dems ignored the majority.

I don't want to hear anymore excuses for a bunch of dumb fucks that can't end the war in Iraq, refused to impeach Bush or Cheney, voted for torture and warrantless searches, and are now pushing to do to Cuba what we did to Iraq.

[ohio2007]

23. then they will be replaced

unless they put together a great dog and pony show in '08

lol
they can always say they refused to to the bidding of Osama bin Laden who also called them losers in his "recent video" for not impeaching , not reducing troop levels in Iraq,Afghanistan and where ever the opressed muslims are being repressed by non mulsim dictators

[Cha]

24. Fuckers...If our money isn't

disappearing in Iraq or building more nukes to bomb Iran then it's going to Miami repukes.

"Unanimous consent", eh? Nobody wants to rock the fucking boat. :scared: Chavez :scared: Bugaboo..corporatewhoremedia BUGABOOS.

I'm with that guy who said "THROW THE BUMS OUT!!"

[leaninglib]

25. Even a broken clock is right...

Cool...

[murdoch]

26. "bringing democracy to the island"

So democracy is when a foreign power spends $47 million to influence your political system. The hubris of these people is unbelievable.

[IndianaGreen]

27. $47 million for a Latino version of Chalabi

As to American "freedom and democracy," I have seen enough of that in Iraq to know that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

[Mika]

28. Imagine the outrage in the US if Al Queda was funding "opposition" parties in the US.

People of all political stripes in the US would be up in arms over it.

The US funding "opposition" in Cuba is worse. People of all political stripes in Cuba are up in arms over it (except the few on the receiving end of our tax dollars).



-

[Judi Lynn]

29. Apparently our money can be used to finance the lifestyles of Cuban "dissidents,"

but jazz musicians in this country are barred from going there to attend the jazz festival. We can send money to people who agitate to overturn the government, but can't allow U.S. citizens to pay their own way to participate in a function which would create a lot of good will toward U.S.'ians. Odd, isn't it?

US Musicians barred from International Jazz Festival in Cuba

Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto denounced that the US blockade of Cuba has prevented the participation of American musicians at the International Jazz Festival, underway in the central Cuban locality of Varadero.

"Many of them would have liked to attend the event; however, arbitrary legislations adopted by the Bush administration have not allowed them to," said Prieto.

Abel Prieto took part at the opening ceremony of the Jam Session Jazz festival, which was also attended by Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero, and the event's president, renowned Cuban musician Chucho Valdes.

The Jam Session festival has been designed to take place every other year in Varadero, central Matanzas province. The event will alternate with other jazz activities, like the Jazz Plaza and the Jojazz also held on the island.
(snip/...)

http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2007/09/09/5670/us_musicians_barred_from_international_jazz_festival_in_cuba.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chucho Valdez Wikipedia:

Chucho Valdés
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Have questions? Find out how to ask questions and get answers. •Jump to: navigation, search
Chucho Valdés (b. October 9, 1941), born Jesús Dionisio Valdés, is a Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger. He was born in Quivicán, Cuba. In 1972 he founded the group Irakere, one of Cuba's best-known Latin jazz bands. Together with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Valdés is revered as one of Cuba's greatest jazz pianists.

His father Bebo Valdés, also a pianist, is the former director of Havana's famous "Tropicana" night club. Bebo Valdés, now in his 80's, is still performing, and won a Latin Grammy award in 2003 together with Israel "Cachao" López and Patato Valdés, and in 2005 together with flamenco singer Diego El Cigala.

Chucho has won three Grammy awards - one in 1978 for the album Live at Newport by Irakere, a second in 1998 for his contribution to the CD Havana by his band Crisol (formed in 1997), with two songs Mr. Bruce and Mambo para Roy written by Chucho, and the third in 2003 for his album Live at the Village Vanguard.

In 2005, Chucho was sued for divorce by his wife Ileana Mateu Valdes, a Cuban American residing in Englewood, New Jersey. It took almost two years of litigation before the parties settled the matter. A New Jersey matrimonial court did not recognize a prior Cuban divorce obtained by Chucho Valdes in Cuba holding that it had violated the fair notions of constitutional due process of the United States. On March 28, 2007, a divorce was granted to the parties and Chucho Valdes finally agreed to pay the lawyers of Ms. Valdes the sum of $35,000.00 for their work in the case. This agreement had to be approved by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. since it dealt directly with transfers of money by Cuban nationals to the United States. Such transfers are prohibited under the Cuban embargo regulations. The Miami Herald Spanish Language newspaper, El Nuevo Herald, reported the story on its front page and characterized the case as historic. According to El Nuevo Herald, it was the first time in 46 years that a Cuban national paid with Cuban funds for the settlement of a civil lawsuit filed by an American citizen in U.S. courts.
(snip)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chucho_Vald%C3%A9s

A Chucho Valdez YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VCME9tp9Es

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may recall that this man and his band were here, in the States, to attend the Latin Grammies on THE September 11th. Earlier that summer, Miami "exiles" had thrown fits over and over again that the CBS Latin Grammy show producer wanted them to stay far enough from the door to the auditorium where the Grammys were originally scheduled to be held that they COULD NOT resort to their traditional hurling D Cell batteries, rocks, bottles, eggs, and baggies filled with excrement at Cubans attempting to go to concerts in the States.

CBS had finally arranged to move the entire Latin Grammys to Los Angeles, and Chucho Valdez was there, ready to go on September 11th evening, when the WTC was attacked. The show was postponed, and Valdez and his group stayed in the country long enough to all give blood for the survivors of the disaster before turning and going home.

[FVZA_Colonel]

30. It seems that if ousting Castro really were a priority, it would be so damn much more effective

to end the boycot and allow the ensuing flow of resources, people and information to undermine him. But hey, he's just too effective a Satan figure to be able to bring out when Bin Ladin isn't doing it for people at the moment.

[Mika]

31. Are you kidding? And get rid of the anti Castro and pro trade lobbying?

C'mon. Get real. :sarcasm:

-

{sarcasm off}

It isn't about Castro (even though we hear little else but 'Castro did this, and Castro did that'). Its about US elections and the financing candidates need to run. The more unresolved issues like this that remain then the more opportunity to raise campaign cash. Coming to S Florida and railing against Castro and talking about maintaining sanctions is a guaranteed cash cow for any and all politicians. Going to the midwest farm belt and railing against Cuba trade sanctions hurting the AG industries is a guaranteed campaign cash cow. Why on earth would any politician on either side truly want to see Castro gone and the embargo lifted? Status quo is good for political business.



:hi: