Free Cuba! Obama: “leave behind the legacy of both colonialism and communism"

[rick_day]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/us-cuba-diplomatic-relations-obama-raul-castro In a speech at the White House on Wednesday, President Obama announced that the United States will restore full diplomatic relations

Comments

[mahnmut]

I wonder what Jesus St. Reagan would do.

Reagan

[geezer_also]

With a little research, one could find out exactly what Reagan DID do...

Oh wait, I get it...

RE: Reagan

[mahnmut]

You do, don't you.

[luzribeiro]

Now imagine how Russians view the evil US/EU colonialists meddling in a country right under their nose. The US was prepared to go all-nuclear about an island a few miles away from its shores; I'm wondering how can anyone expect Russia to be a-OK with someone snatching their biggest trophy right from under their nose, and not put up a fight about it.

[garote]

Well, it wasn't exactly a snatch. The "trophy" got up and walked away from them.

Wait, what?

[geezer_also]

I thought the Ukraine was a sovereign country.

A similar scenario would be the US putting missiles in, oh, say Poland...and not removing them

[luzribeiro]

I thought the Ukraine was a sovereign country.

Does it know that you think so?

Which planet do you live on?

[nairiporter]

Finally some good news amidst a disastrous week full of violence and death worldwide.

[htpcl]

> coupled with a a tacit admission of "colonialism"

I'm just curious how you arrived at that conclusion. Perhaps there's some cultural peculiarity here that I'm unaware of.

[dexeron]

Well, he at least used the word a few times. ;)

"Relations with Cuba, once a U.S. colonial possession 90 miles from the coast of Florida,"

"Others have seen us as a former colonizer intent on controlling your future. "

"Let us leave behind the legacy of both colonization and communism..."

And while it's not exactly a straight-out statement of the fact (and this kind of speech isn't really the forum for him to present a lecture on 20th century colonialism) it's probably the closest we'll get to such a thing.

[garote]

Colonialism is the new hot word. Dinesh D'Souza told me so. (From his prison cell.)

[htpcl]

OK, I seriously think this warrants a Dailyquote nomination.

[telemann]

Indeed, that's some very good news. Interesting that Pope Francis helped with brokering the deal too.

[rick_day]

Yes I noticed that. I'm as impressed with this guy as anyone who has donned the miter. The walks the walk, when it comes to promoting peace.

One of the right wing congresscritters declared that "Obama was the worst negotiator since Jimmy Carter".

Heh. Pretty hard for those old John Bircher crustys to explain why, after 51 years of pressure has not worked to overthrow the Castros, we should continue.

[telemann]

John Bircher crustys to explain why, after 51 years of pressure has not worked to overthrow the Castros, we should continue.

To wit: Rubio, Ted Cruz in particular. JUST BUCKLE DOWN ON THEM THAR COMMUNISTAS!