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

[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.

[rick_day]

Well it is not my conclusion. That was a word the POTUS used repeatedly in his speech.

But the concept and execution is not unknown to intelligent people like you. It has been foreign policy for Euro Centric's expansionism for a few centuries now.

[htpcl]

> But the concept and execution is not unknown to intelligent people like you

You seem concerned about my intellect. Thanks!

[rick_day]

"Concern" is not the proper English word here.

"Respect" is.

[htpcl]

If you say so. I still do believe, however, that you could've done way better without invoking my personal qualities (or lack thereof). Sort of prevents the discussion from being derailed by unnecessary rhetorical tricks, ya know.

[rick_day]

uh..yeah... no personal qualities. No acknowledgement of the other posters human qualities. No attacks, no compliments. Just. the. facts.

sure thing, boss.

[htpcl]

Not sure that it's a sure thing, but anyway.

Frankly, I would've appreciated if you had sticked to discussing politics, not me. Which is what this place is about, isn't it? But sure, nothing/nobody is perfect.

[luvdovz]

Then stop derailing it with a non-issue like this. You never came across as too touchy.

Here. This might help.

[htpcl]

It always does.

[rick_day]

Ah the fine young contributors to the gist of this conversation on what is by all means wonderful news, albeit not fitting within some's worldview of All America/AllBad. so witty. so darn edgy. so condescending. this new middle class aristocracy. very Boarish.

Meanwhile, back in Havana...

-said Rick, to no one threadjacker in particular.

[luvdovz]

Hey, read up, I'm making your point on this one. Or did you not notice? I could've at least gotten a "Cheers" from you for it. Look, there's even a bottle of rakia! What more do you want?

for what it's worth

[geezer_also]

I saw what you did there, and appreciated it :)

[luvdovz]

The OP obviously didn't. Which makes me sad enough to want another glass of rakia.