tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post5023162468908894445..comments2008-09-16T22:55:44.050-04:00Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17285764199578112393noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post-917982491820422692008-09-16T22:55:00.000-04:002008-09-16T22:55:00.000-04:00Hey Walter,<BR/><BR/>You continue to misrepresent the crux of the issue.<BR/><BR/>As you well know, any type of item my be purchased in the world market, by any country, at any time. Thus, Cuba can very easily purchase food, batteries, clothes, steel, etc., etc., immediately. The reason it is having trouble is because Cuba is not paying its bills, and hence, companies do not want to extend credit. Cuba can't pay its bills becuase it clings to a disproven economic model which serves to only enrich those at the top.<BR/><BR/>Hence, the fact that American companies, in particular, cannot extend credit to Cuba is irrelevent within the context of helping the Cuban people today.<BR/><BR/>Since companies around the world (barring the US) are unwilling to sell to Cuba...countries have come to the rescue and offered aid - from my understanding, Cuba has only accepted help from Chavez. So the people suffer, again, for no reason.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the 100k vs. 45M, you misinterpret the facts. It is because of the calamity in Cuba that the US is willing to ignore its ideological differences and offer aid to Cuba.Axelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612618000146200728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post-54598581561844227972008-09-15T13:18:00.000-04:002008-09-15T13:18:00.000-04:00Washington's supposed AID offer is conditioned on Cuba accepting a US evaluation team on Cuban soil, and, furthermore, though Washington says it is "offering" $100,000.00 in aid, is continuing to spend $45,000,000.00 to attempt to destabilize Cuba from within through the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba. <BR/><BR/>Cuba has stated that it cannot accept donations from a government that blockades it, but reiterates its desire to BUY the materials it needs, using the normal credit procedures common to commercial transactions. <BR/><BR/>It also notes that if the US does not want to to end those restrictions permanently, it requests that the US do so for the next six months, taking into consideration the damage done by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and the fact that the most dangerous months for hurricanes are still to come.<BR/> <BR/>Cuba is offering to PURCHASE needed supplies, as it has PURCHASED needed food from the US for FOUR YEARS already.<BR/><BR/>Considering the bailouts Washington is giving to Freddy Mac, Fannie Mae, Bear Stearns and all the rest, why shouldn't PRIVATE companies be permitted to themselves grant Cuba credit if they want to grant it?Walter Lippmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07308035063275057775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post-30709373059768115952008-09-15T11:40:00.000-04:002008-09-15T11:40:00.000-04:00Thanks for posting Tony, very interesting.<BR/><BR/>I continue to marvel at two things. First, the regimes unfathomable preference for scoring political points rather than help its people. Second, the incredible ease with which it succeeds in placing the US/Cuban Americans on the intellecutal defensive.<BR/><BR/>It is a pity (and to some degree shameful) that the US AND the Cuban-American community continue to allow Cuba to wage an unchallenged intellecutal war, in the court of public opinion. <BR/>Currently, we simply have no thought leaders in our community to articulate reality.<BR/><BR/>It is a crazy world where a government has the gravitas to wholeheartedy refuse aid, aid sorely needed to feed a devesated populace, and instead call for changed in US policy.<BR/><BR/>Where is the regime's heart? In its people? Clearly not, since they refuse direct and immedaite aid to alleviate their suffering.Axelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612618000146200728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post-10668282318467955742008-09-15T11:32:00.000-04:002008-09-15T11:32:00.000-04:00Instead they want to lift the embargo? If the people are in need and the country is having a hard time repaying its existing debt, why not accept the donation and offers to assist. It seems as though they are using this crisis to once again gain the upper hand in dealing with the U.S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503239653195967295.post-21111408687279052042008-09-15T11:30:00.000-04:002008-09-15T11:30:00.000-04:00Why not accept the donation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com