Cuba receives first US shipment in 50 years

Cuba receives first US shipment in 50 years

www.aljazeera.com

For the first time in 50 years, Havana Bay has received a shipment of humanitarian aid from Miami in the United States.

The Ana Cecilia sailed into the Cuban harbour shortly after 11:00 GMT or 7am local time on Friday, carrying family goods, food, medicine and clothing, as well as medical equipment such as orthopedic mattresses and electric wheelchairs.

(visit the link for the full news article)

The US embargo on Cuba completely mystifies most non-Amer9icans I know - and pretty much all the Americans I know too - they are also embarrassed about it.

I guess the voting power of the anti-Castro block in Florida accounts for much of it - because the stated aim of promoting democracy in Cuba is laughable - the US has little or no problems trading with myriad other non-democratic nations - even giving other communist ones favoured nation status!

And of course in terms of seized assets - perhaps the US could pay all those poor hard done by US corporations out of the loyalist property that was never returned in accordance with the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty??



Anyway - perhaps this is a small crack in the wall of ice - I hope so.

www.aljazeera.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I think the Cuban and Cuban American population is the primary reason but frankly, the Castro's aren't running any Utopia. People aren't risking everything over the years on floating trash and sheer hope because they had a decent life at home and heard it might just be a little better in America.

I'm just a little shocked this happened without so much as a chat that I recall hearing. In past times the suggestion of this has lead to public debate and it stood. It might have been nice to at least hear a casual chat in Congress if not a debate or two. I suppose we aren't doing that now or did I miss a ton here in everything being opened up?

l Jazeera is wrong. This was the first shipment from Miami. The US has been shipping stuff to cuba since about 2000.

www.bbc.co.uk...

Similar cargo services to Cuba already operate from other US ports.

In October 2000, the U.S. Congress passed legislation, later signed by the President into law on October 28, 2000, which changed the U.S.-Cuba trade relationship by enacting certain exceptions from U.S. sanctions legislation for agricultural and medical exports..

reply to post by stanguilles7


Great catch I was about to post a similar link.

I think the cargo ship Captain and crew should then visit some of the wonderful state of the art resorts Cuba has to offer with World class food, entertainment and Casinos etc etc etc. Most Cubans are not allowed. Wouldn't want all them rich vacationers and people on Holiday to see how the real Cubans live.

Didn't Moore make his movie and boasted about how wonderful the Cuban medical care was? Why do they need medical supplies?

Not that I'm against them receiving anything they need. Personally I'm glad the Embargo was lifted. People are people. The Cold war is over. Let bygones be bygones....

Originally posted by SLAYER69
.

Didn't Moore make his movie and boasted about how wonderful the Cuban medical care was? Why do they need medical supplies?

I'm not sure if I see the connection. I'm not defending Moore's sensationalist claims. I never saw Sicko. But the quality of care in the cuban medical system doesnt mean they have unlimited access to supplies. After all, the US has great medical care, too (for those with $$), but it doesnt mean they dont have to import medical equipment.

reply to post by Aloysius the Gaul


I really dont understand it. Weve pretty much completely restored ties with Viet Nam, yet were still punishing the Cubans?

Originally posted by SLAYER69


Didn't Moore make his movie and boasted about how wonderful the Cuban medical care was? Why do they need medical supplies?

I often wondered that myself. Why do Haitians bypass Cuba, when its SO close, to get to America ?

Especially if the Healthcare is greater ?

reply to post by sonnny1


They want to buy BIG AMERICAN car MAUHN!

Originally posted by SLAYER69
reply to post by stanguilles7

 

People are people. The Cold war is over. Let bygones be bygones....

Only thing holding this back is $$$....

What other possible reason could there be?

Originally posted by sonnny1

Originally posted by SLAYER69


Didn't Moore make his movie and boasted about how wonderful the Cuban medical care was? Why do they need medical supplies?

I often wondered that myself. Why do Haitians bypass Cuba, when its SO close, to get to America ?

Especially if the Healthcare is greater ?

Oh, come now.

Do you think Haitians only come to the US for 'health care'?

Cuba's government has A LOT of problems. But they do really have a very outstanding medical program, given the context of their limitations.

reply to post by Juggernog


Well with Communist Vietnam,who after the war,treated their southern neighbors better than what most thought they would.
Cuba nearly started World destruction with Nuclear war,I.E. Cuban Missile crisis.
I can understand why they would forgive Vietnam before Cuba..

Anyways,hopefully life in Cuba will improve,even if slightly..

reply to post by JacKatMtn


I dunno, Cuba has some of the best Resort locations in the Gulf. Once it's completely lifted I can imagine waves of Americans flooding into the country for weekend trips. Slowly at first but eventually raising many Cubans out of the poverty zone. By Cubans either working for a large company or simply being a basic entrepreneur

Sad to say though.
It's true $$$ makes the world go round

Originally posted by stanguilles7


Oh, come now.

Do you think Haitians only come to the US for 'health care'?

Cuba's government has A LOT of problems. But they do really have a very outstanding medical program, given the context of their limitations.

Well, you would think that Michael Moore is full of it, Bypassing Cuba, tells you that Cuba, even with its remarkable healthcare, isn't the Utopia, Fidel and Hugo, and MANY supporters make it out to be. All their supporters, need only look to Haiti, and ask WHY Cuba isn't their first destination, to freedom.

Originally posted by sonnny1

Originally posted by stanguilles7


Oh, come now.

Do you think Haitians only come to the US for 'health care'?

Cuba's government has A LOT of problems. But they do really have a very outstanding medical program, given the context of their limitations.

Well, you would think that Michael Moore is full of it, Bypassing Cuba, tells you that Cuba, even with its remarkable healthcare, isn't the Utopia, Fidel and Hugo, and MANY supporters make it out to be. All their supporters, need only look to Haiti, and ask WHY Cuba isn't their first destination, to freedom.

I see. I thought you were attempting to make a reasonable an factual critique of Cuba's medical system, and not just an attack on Michale moore's apparent claims.

Because, again, if your only litmus test for the viability of Cuba's medical program is that Hatian refugees come to the US instead of Cuba, then you arent actually using any sort of intellectual rigor.ecause I doubt you will find a boat load of Haitians who will say they all chose to come to america for nothing more than the health care.

I'm not here to debate the claims of Micheal moore. I'm just saying that Cuba does indeed have a very good medical program, given the confines of their society, both from their government, as well as outside forces.

reply to post by stanguilles7

I'm not here to debate the claims of Micheal moore. I'm just saying that Cuba does indeed have a very good medical program

Didnt Hugo Chavez go to Cuba for his cancer treatment? I realize his choices were limited but that should say something.

Originally posted by stanguilles7
I'm not here to debate the claims of Micheal moore. I'm just saying that Cuba does indeed have a very good medical program, given the confines of their society, both from their government, as well as outside forces.

Well two things. sonnny1 does raise a good question.

1. Why isn't Cub a their first stop since it is much closer?

2. Are you sure that Medical care is for everyone who needs it when they need it?

Originally posted by Juggernog
Didnt Hugo Chavez go to Cuba for his cancer treatment? I realize his choices were limited but that should say something.

Why were his choices limited?
I'm just curious to hear your reasons why you think that.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Idk, I guess political reasons?
I suppose if he wouldve requested treatment in the US he wouldve received it but I dont think the political situation or his pride wouldve allowed it.

Originally posted by SLAYER69

Originally posted by stanguilles7
I'm not here to debate the claims of Micheal moore. I'm just saying that Cuba does indeed have a very good medical program, given the confines of their society, both from their government, as well as outside forces.

Well two things. sonnny1 does raise a good question.

1. Why isn't Cub a their first stop since it is much closer?

Do you actually not see how that is a straw man?

It falsely implies that Haitians all want to get into the US for health care and health care alone. Haitians try and immigrate to the US because they believe they will have more opportunities in the US.

Of course, I already addressed that point above, and you ignored it.

2. Are you sure that Medical care is for everyone who needs it when they need it?

Hey, more straw men!

Where did I say that? I just said they have a very good medical program. I've actually been there. Have you?