Cuba

[scotsboy]

After almost 50 years in power Castro is stepping down. Cuba is a place I would love to visit; it carries the mystique of a tropical paradise, coupled with revolution, music, colour and passion. I don’t suppose things will change too much in the short term in Cuba, and maybe that is a good thing – having never been I don’t really know. Some people will say its good, some bad, but one thing is for sure – it is lucky to be surviving (maybe only just) the globalization that the rest of us are exposed to. Cuba Libre!

[j4bberw0ck]

it is lucky to be surviving (maybe only just) the globalization that the rest of us are exposed to. Cuba Libre!

I wonder if you could convince the people who have risked - and continue to risk - their lives on rafts, boats and truck innertubes to escape the Workers' Paradise, of the same thing?

[JAWS]

Cuba? They make good cigars there!

[scotsboy]

I wonder if you could convince the people who have risked - and continue to risk - their lives on rafts, boats and truck innertubes to escape the Workers' Paradise, of the same thing?

I think people leave countries for all sorts of reasons. The fact that migration is not permitted simply puts greater focus on those who choose to try to leave. Scots are well known for their pioneering, and we continue to export our people around the globe - so may never return........it may have nothing to do with the political regime at home

[golach]

Cuba? They make good cigars there!

And good rum was invented there, Bacardi.............aaaaah Cuban Libre

[j4bberw0ck]

it may have nothing to do with the political regime at home

This much is true.

I notice, though, that most Scots leaving their native Socialist Paradise eschew innertubes and rafts in favour of trains, boats and planes. Must be something to do with relative freedoms of individuals to do what they want, when they want, why they want, and having the incomes to enable it to happen...........

Somewhat unlike their Fraternal Socialist Brethren in Cuba. Now. Where's that maiden with the dusky thigh, when you need her? I need a new cigar rolling.....

[scotsboy]

This much is true.

I notice, though, that most Scots leaving their native Socialist Paradise eschew innertubes and rafts in favour of trains, boats and planes. Must be something to do with relative freedoms of individuals to do what they want, when they want, why they want, and having the incomes to enable it to happen...........

Somewhat unlike their Fraternal Socialist Brethren in Cuba. Now. Where's that maiden with the dusky thigh, when you need her? I need a new cigar rolling.....

Obviously I agree with the modes of transport - but they may actually be leaving for the same reasons, and it may have nothing to do with the political regime.

[j4bberw0ck]

Coincidentally, I find a well-known genius, economist, libertarian, intellectual, philosopher and minor celebrity, has some bitingly insightful observations about life in Cuba.

Stand up, Craig David. If you're not too stupid to do it unaided, that is.

[northener]

Good-oh! Get cholera in Cuba and you'll be prescribed flamenco twice a day.

Tap-dance your way out of toothache!

Power cut during life-saving surgery? Do a Gay Gordon.......ooo-er missis.

.

[iain]

Oh didnt they have it good before the revolution !! The bogey man lives next door to Castro and is are every bit as much to blame for the conditions in Cuba.Oh and Fidel doesnt like the english ! As stated on his meeting with the Stereophonics.

[j4bberw0ck]

An island rich in raw materials and with no shortage of trading partners now produces less than half as much food as in 1959 and a tenth as much sugar. It is dependent on tourism for hard currency and Venezuela for oil, whose pledged aid in cash and kind exceeds in value that of the US to Israel.

Nice little write up in the Times

[JAWS]

The bogey man lives next door to Castro and is are every bit as much to blame for the conditions in Cuba.

It probably has more to do with the fact that the Soviet Union is no longer there to bankroll a failed Marxist Regime.
The fact that the US boycotts Cuba is just a convenient excuse. I can't see places like China, India, most of the Middle East and several South American Countries being impressed by that triviality.

If a trade embargo by one Country, even if it is America, caused such major problems for Cuba then how is it that both the former Southern Rhodesia and the old South Africa weren't in the same condition when they were under UN Sanctions and boycotted by most of the World rather than just one Country?

It’s always a good excuse to blame somebody else rather than admit you have created your own problems because of your own failed system.

[scotsboy]

I think the majority would agree that the system failed in Cuba, although there may be one or two positives i.e. healthcare and education. But I would still love to visit.

[j4bberw0ck]

I would still love to visit.

Can't argue with that .

[helenwyler]

I think the majority would agree that the system failed in Cuba, although there may be one or two positives i.e. healthcare and education. But I would still love to visit.

Agreed scotsboy!

Cuba under Batista would have been worse.

When the US owned 75% of the sugar industry and 60% of the land, something revoultionary would have got my vote...haha, irony intentional