Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

I find it disturbing that a government would dictate to its citizens where they can and cannot go on vacations. It is also surprising that most conservatives support such big brother initiatives. Hopefully the first tourist who is fined will challenge this law in court.

I guess with an election coming up next year Bush wants to solidify his support from the refugee community in Flordia.

<<<<U.S. President George W. Bush said he will crack down on Americans illegally travelling to Cuba in an effort to hasten the downfall of Fidel Castro's regime.

"Our country must understand the consequences of illegal travel," Bush said at a White House Rose Garden ceremony, adding that tourist money only helps to prop up Castro's government.

U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba. Bush said he would also target U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba through other countries.

Bush said he would establish a commission, which would include Secretary of State Colin Powell, "to plan for the happy day that Castro's regime is no more." But he offered few specifics about the commission.

Many Cuban-Americans living in Florida have criticized the Bush administration for not doing enough about Castro, who has been in power since 1959.

Hyalucent · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: British North America

You could always join the Marines and get posted to Guantanamo.

canuckistan · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:58 pm Post subject:

Americans travel to Cuba all the time....via fishing trips. You're allowed to dock, but you're not supposed to disembark and spend hard currency nudge nudge wink wink.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Most Americans go through Cancun, Jamaica, Bahamas, Canada, etc.

Basically there are NO direct flights except for Cuban-Americans through Miami.

For Americans you have to go through an intermediary country.. and Cuba doesn't stamp your passport.. they stamp a piece of paper and attach it to your passport, and then stamp it again when you leave. So there is no record whatsoever officially of your visit.

Oh.. and yes.. it does suck that the government mandates that.

We have the right to guns and other stuff.. but no rights to travel to Cuba or have healthcare. What kind of life is that? American people are cool.. but our government sucks.. and its a war going on internally. *beep* you Mr. President.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

canuckistan · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 4:50 pm Post subject:

Gord, you remind me of my university history days. Whenever we had readings on a particular topic, they always threw in the Marxist-Leninist version as well. Wink

desultude · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 5:33 pm Post subject:

On another thread there has been some speculation regarding the Jewish influence on U.S. politics. Well, the Cuban conservatives in Miami (which are not all of the Cubans in Miami, just the rich and influencial ones, with deeds to most of the land in Cuba, including the sugar and tobacco plantations) have similar influence. So do oil and insurance interests. If you study interest group politics you find out that you influence is based not on demographics and reason but on money and organization. The influencial conservative Cubans and Jews (not all Jews, either) have undue influence owing to money and organization, and owing to their ability to convince their peers to support their candidates.

There is talk here on occasion about U.S. democracy. Well, interest group politics make a mockery of democracy in the U.S.. Corporate groups with 2000 members can "out-influence" a labor union with 2 million easily.

The really perverse thing about the conservative Cuban politics is that the embargo they support starves their own brethren. But these are the same people that ran the exploitative plantations when they were still in Cuba, so starving their brethren is nothing new.

Hotel Cheonan · Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Location: Gwangju

Desultude basically sums up what I have to say. The only thing I can add is my personal experience of being born and raised in S. Florida. The Cuban community in Miami is so Anti-Castro, that they believe he is Satan himself. Anything that might even remotely bring publicity to Cuba, is seen as bringing publicity to Castro. It's hard to understand this, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.

supernick · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

And I thought that the U.S. was always the country of the free. Shocked

Stupidity shines its light once again.

Hotel Cheonan · Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Location: Gwangju

I think we're missing the big point, why would Americans want to travel to Cuba? It's not like the days of old, casinos, fancy hotels, etc. The conditions in Cuba are akin to those in N. Korea-although not as bad. Then think to yourself, why are so many Cubans trying to leave?

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Cuba's a very beautiful place with nice people. I've been there.

I don't think poverty should be a reason to avoid visiting a country. I've been to many countries which could be considered impoverished.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Pretty difficult for americans to travel to Iran as well and North Korea isn't an option either. Believe Libya is pretty much off-limits as well. And like Tiger Beer said, americans can get to cuba if they really want to, just have to do it in a round-about way.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

not sure if this has been mentioned b/c in a rush and can't read the whole thread...
i think the deal is that Americans CAN'T spend ANY money there but they can visit. I read this in an article about american travel updedoos going around cuba to scope out the scene. The article said something about a loop hole and them not spending money...not sure how it works but something like that

desultude · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 3:39 am Post subject:

Hotel Cheonan