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My buddy CW5 (Join to see) started a discussion about North Korea, (Go check out that thread, there's some good stuff there to contemplate) and it really got me to thinking about other isolated countries that exist today; and the reasons for their isolation. It also got me thinking about how the US has approached diplomatic relations in the past with otherwise closed off countries (USSR, China, etc...)
Now, obviously nation-state diplomacy is not a one size fits all proposition. Every decision made and every policy implemented must be based on the facts as they exist in each individual circumstance; I understand that.
My question is very simple. Should we end the trade embargo that has been in place since 1962 against Cuba?
I am 46 years old, I didn't report for duty until 6 years after this embargo was put in place, so this is a history that I learned about in school without having lived through it. I acknowledge that that taints the prism of my understanding of the issue. I don't have any first hand knowledge of events.
For many others, they remember a time when there was free to-and-from travel to Cuba. That undoubtedly, informs their opinions as well; it's not just history, it's part of their memory of events.
I actually DO have an opinion on this question, and it's not just one I've recently arrived upon, but have spent years thinking about. I don't want to share that opinion with you all yet, (but I will in due time) because I want your opinions first, without me influencing your train of thought. I know that comes off as supremely arrogant; as if anyone give a flying futon what I think, or that what I think ought to influence you...
BUT, in the interest of a completely untainted and fair discussion, I want to wait to declare my position.
In that spirit, I also would like to invite you to check out a website I found tonight that has a page or two dedicated to this question. I gave it a read and found it to be (at least in this question) exactly what it claims to be: It is unbiased, unfiltered, and free of political spin. It simply presents the facts from both sides and challenges you to think critically and draw your own conclusions.
I find that remarkably refreshing!
Check out (if you need a refresher on the issue): http://cuba-embargo.procon.org/
Let the RP community know your thoughts.
Now, obviously nation-state diplomacy is not a one size fits all proposition. Every decision made and every policy implemented must be based on the facts as they exist in each individual circumstance; I understand that.
My question is very simple. Should we end the trade embargo that has been in place since 1962 against Cuba?
I am 46 years old, I didn't report for duty until 6 years after this embargo was put in place, so this is a history that I learned about in school without having lived through it. I acknowledge that that taints the prism of my understanding of the issue. I don't have any first hand knowledge of events.
For many others, they remember a time when there was free to-and-from travel to Cuba. That undoubtedly, informs their opinions as well; it's not just history, it's part of their memory of events.
I actually DO have an opinion on this question, and it's not just one I've recently arrived upon, but have spent years thinking about. I don't want to share that opinion with you all yet, (but I will in due time) because I want your opinions first, without me influencing your train of thought. I know that comes off as supremely arrogant; as if anyone give a flying futon what I think, or that what I think ought to influence you...
BUT, in the interest of a completely untainted and fair discussion, I want to wait to declare my position.
In that spirit, I also would like to invite you to check out a website I found tonight that has a page or two dedicated to this question. I gave it a read and found it to be (at least in this question) exactly what it claims to be: It is unbiased, unfiltered, and free of political spin. It simply presents the facts from both sides and challenges you to think critically and draw your own conclusions.
I find that remarkably refreshing!
Check out (if you need a refresher on the issue): http://cuba-embargo.procon.org/
Let the RP community know your thoughts.
Posted in these groups: 
Economic Policy
Cuba
Economic Policy Cuba
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Let's start by having Cuba send me a year's production of their cigars and we can further discuss their options......
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SFC Mark Merino
The only time I had Cubans was Iraq in 2003. They were everywhere in the early days on Sandbox I (2nd award). By 2007 they were long gone!
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I think it should end. I really don't think it has done anything but make things difficult for the Cuban population. Really what purpose has it served?
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SPC (Join to see)
What does ending it say to the rest of the world about our resolve to fight oppression and dictatorship wherever it arises? Is that Neville Chamberlain type appeasement, or does it represent graduated policy adjustment to the new reality? What are the arguments for ending the blockade?
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SCPO (Join to see)
My question is this, by continuing the embargo, are we oppressing the Cuban people? They are oppressed to begin with, what are we accomplishing? Would they be better off if it was lifted. Yes, there is a great deal of devil advocacy here.
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) Our relationship with Saudi Arabia and China already informs the world that we have no real interest in fighting oppression and dictatorship wherever it arises... unless it happens to be politically expedient. Our relationship with China would also seem to provide sufficient evidence to support the notion that we can work with despots to enhance liberty in communist counties through trade much more effectively than we can enhance liberty by blocking trade.
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If it served any purpose at all that purpose it has been exhausted. Yes it is time to end it.
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