Rand Paul supports opening up relations with Cuba

[InTheLight]

Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he supports opening up relations with Cuba, a position that that puts him at odds with much of the would-be Republican presidential field.

“The 50-year embargo just hasn’t worked,” Paul told Tom Roten of WVHU in Huntington, West Virginia. "If the goal was regime change, it sure doesn’t seem to be working, and probably it punishes the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship."

He added: “In the end, I think, probably, opening up Cuba is probably a good idea."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...paul-supports-opening-up-relations-with-cuba/
----------

He seems to be the only Republican to be in favor of normalizing relations with Cuba. I agree with him.

 

[poncho]

Some neoconservatives are applauding this policy shift for that very reason. Max Boot, a well-known neocon war advocate, praised Obama’s Cuba shift in Commentary Magazine today. His reasoning was very different than ours, however. Without shame or embarrassment, Boot thought the opening would provide excellent cover for increased US subversion activities inside Cuba – under the cover of “human rights” advocacy. He wrote:
The restoration of diplomatic relations will, in any case, deliver some benefits to the U.S. by allowing us to beef up the staff of the American interests section in Havana, thus increasing our ability to (at least in theory) subvert the regime through the promotion of human rights.
President Obama also seemed to suggest that the US would continue meddling in internal Cuban affairs, stating that the United States “will continue to support the civil society” in Cuba. That likely means a deal to allow US NGOs in to Cuba to work toward regime change.

I have a better suggestion if the US truly wants Cuba to become a free and prosperous country: the US government should completely remove all restrictions on US citizens and then step aside. American tourists, businessmen, students, and scholars can do far more to promote real American values than bureaucrats, government-funded NGOs, and US-funded propaganda broadcasts.

A better future for the United States and Cuba simply requires our government opening the door and getting the heck out of the way!

Read More At: http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/arc...th-cuba-open-the-door-and-get-out-of-the-way/

 

[Use of Time]

Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he supports opening up relations with Cuba, a position that that puts him at odds with much of the would-be Republican presidential field.

“The 50-year embargo just hasn’t worked,” Paul told Tom Roten of WVHU in Huntington, West Virginia. "If the goal was regime change, it sure doesn’t seem to be working, and probably it punishes the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship."

He added: “In the end, I think, probably, opening up Cuba is probably a good idea."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...paul-supports-opening-up-relations-with-cuba/
----------

He seems to be the only Republican to be in favor of normalizing relations with Cuba. I agree with him.

I don't know if it's a good idea or a bad idea but the whole estranged relationship between us in the year of our Lord twenty and fourteen just seems like a remnant of an antiquated issue with a hint of McCarthyism on the side. Especially considering that we have better relationships with China and Vietnam who are stronger and more threatening communist nations than Cuba; which sits only 90 miles away from U.S soil. This is not an issue that I'm going to lose sleep over either way.

Just think how many more Yasiel Puig's could be over there though. That alone would make it worth it to me.

 

[church mouse guy]

I myself thought that Rubio handed Paul his hat and I had a good laugh at Paul. Maybe Rubio is ready for prime time but Paul is still amateur hour like his ole man.

 

[poncho]

I myself thought that Rubio handed Paul his hat and I had a good laugh at Paul. Maybe Rubio is ready for prime time but Paul is still amateur hour like his ole man.

I can see where RINOs might find that humorous.

 

[church mouse guy]

I can see where RINOs might find that humorous.

I can see where the libertarians and "give credit to Fidel and Raul" crowd might be sore losers.

 

[poncho]

I can see where the libertarians and "give credit to Fidel and Raul" crowd might be sore losers.

Now that you mention it I do mourn the loss of our republic and the principles it was founded on.

It wasn't perfect but it was a far better place before the neocons, RINOs and collectivists co opted the government.

Tell you the truth I'd rather be a sore loser than a RINO with bragging rights.

 

[kyredneck]

....It wasn't perfect but it was a far better place before the neocons, RINOs and collectivists co opted the government..

:thumbsup: Thank you. That statement pinpoints so much truth. If there was only a pill that would remove the blinders so that others could see it. We have been 'co opted' on the right AND on the left. Period.

 

[church mouse guy]

Now that you mention it I do mourn the loss of our republic and the principles it was founded on.

It wasn't perfect but it was a far better place before the neocons, RINOs and collectivists co opted the government.

Tell you the truth I'd rather be a sore loser than a RINO with bragging rights.

Fortunately, I am neither. Merry Christmas, Poncho!

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I agree with Rand, but I'm still not voting for him.

 

[kyredneck]

I agree with Rand, but I'm still not voting for him.

BC, just curious, why not?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I am not persuaded by his arguments that American interests are at stake in the Mid East. He waffles between interventionism and non-interventionism.

He endorsed Mitt Romney in 2012.

He supports tighter sanctions on Iraq.

America does not need a federal marriage amendment. He can't say if he supports on, or not, but remember, he is on record as saying Obama's vies on marriage could not be any "gayer".

I will keep my eye on him, but I'm a pretty solid libertarian ticket voter. I already know how they stand. Rand is right on a lot of things, and very ambiguous on others.

 

[kyredneck]

Thank you. I'll watch him close also.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

He also flip-flopped big time on Russia, now supporting the bill passed recently which paves the way for economic sanctions. I'm on my phone and can't find the actual bill, but I'm sure a little research will prove my memory correct.

 

[poncho]

:thumbsup: Thank you. That statement pinpoints so much truth. If there was only a pill that would remove the blinders so that others could see it. We have been 'co opted' on the right AND on the left. Period.

We've been "neoconned" for sure. First by one side then the other.

I'm not entirely sure Rand Paul is who he claims to be anymore either. But I do agree with his dad and the founding fathers.

"The government that governs least governs best".

The days of the limited government conservative are over. The neocons, RINOs and collectivists seen to that.

Playing on our fears and expanding government power to counter any alleged threat or crisis is the only sermon being preached today. The only difference being one side frames the the sermon in terms of "national security" and the other side frames it in terms of "human rights".

It all leads us down the same path. More war and bigger more intrusive government.

 

[poncho]

Fortunately, I am neither. Merry Christmas, Poncho!

Your own words and attitude betray you. Merry Christmas to you to.


Paul Craig Roberts

Normalization of relations with Cuba is not the result of a diplomatic breakthrough or a change of heart on the part of Washington. Normalization is a result of US corporations seeking profit opportunities in Cuba, such as developing broadband Internet markets in Cuba.

Before the American left and the Cuban government find happiness in the normalization, they should consider that with normalization comes American money and a US Embassy. The American money will take over the Cuban economy. The embassy will be a home for CIA operatives to subvert the Cuban government. The embassy will provide a base from which the US can establish NGOs whose gullible members can be called to street protest at the right time, as in Kiev, and the embassy will make it possible for Washington to groom a new set of political leaders.

In short, normalization of relations means regime change in Cuba. Soon Cuba will be another of Washington’s vassal states.

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/12/19/regime-change-cuba-paul-craig-roberts/

This is probably closer to the truth than what the RINOs and collectivists are telling us.

 

[church mouse guy]

Half right, Poncho.

The corporations want the US government to extend credit so that they can make sales to Cuba and the US taxpayer will have to pay the corporations back because Fidel and Raul are smart enough to know that credit is guaranteed by the US taxpayer.

Sure the embassy will be a hotbed of US spies but Obama is sympathetic, like Carter, to Fidel and Raul, so the information will be compromised or discarded.

It is not in the interest of Fidel and Raul to upgrade anything with a Russian base to be reactivated soon. They have ties to North Korea and China, as well as Iran and Russia and powerful influence in Latin America, where communism is alive and well throughout the continent. Even the Colombians had to travel to Cuba for talks with the FARC, as you know. The 100,000 barrels of oil per day going to Cuba suggest that Cuba may indeed be calling the shots in Caracas, also the point of exit for drugs going to both Europe and North America from the continent.

The RINOs are onboard with Rand Paul. You don't hear a peep out of Karl Rove and Dick Morris on this one. Of course, Jimmy Carter is crazy about Fidel and Raul.

 

[poncho]

Half right, Poncho.

The corporations want the US government to extend credit so that they can make sales to Cuba and the US taxpayer will have to pay the corporations back because Fidel and Raul are smart enough to know that credit is guaranteed by the US taxpayer.

Sure the embassy will be a hotbed of US spies but Obama is sympathetic, like Carter, to Fidel and Raul, so the information will be compromised or discarded.

It is not in the interest of Fidel and Raul to upgrade anything with a Russian base to be reactivated soon. They have ties to North Korea and China, as well as Iran and Russia and powerful influence in Latin America, where communism is alive and well throughout the continent. Even the Colombians had to travel to Cuba for talks with the FARC, as you know. The 100,000 barrels of oil per day going to Cuba suggest that Cuba may indeed be calling the shots in Caracas, also the point of exit for drugs going to both Europe and North America from the continent.

The RINOs are onboard with Rand Paul. You don't hear a peep out of Karl Rove and Dick Morris on this one. Of course, Jimmy Carter is crazy about Fidel and Raul.

You think in such short terms.