Obama said that he plans to work out the differences between the American and Cuban governments during his visit, including the issues of extradition that were highlighted by Marco Rubio in the last debate. Obama also acknowledged the egregious human rights violations perpetuated by the Cuban government that he hopes to fix.
I think that this visit is certainly a good call by the POTUS. I hope that this sets a precedent as the United States as a diplomatic power rather than the world's premier military policeman. While the Republicans made a note of bashing on Obama for this decision, stating that no president should visit until there is a "free Cuba." However, it is unrealistic to think that Cuba will simply "become free." Only through the prolonged interaction between our two nations will any change be made.
Do you think that Obama is making a good decision with his visit?
Do you think that more harm or good will come from this?
10 comments:
I believe that going to Cuba after so many years is a good idea on Obama's part. This visit will improve our relations and make us more relatable to the Cuban government. As Justin said, the US is often viewed by other countries as a sort of military policeman, which we need to change; this trip to Cuba is a step in the right direction. Waiting for a "free Cuba" is unrealistic because it will not just come around without effort; everyone must work persistently toward this goal in order to accomplish it. I think that much more good will come out of this than bad because it will hopefully better our relations with Cuba and work toward the ultimate goal of a free Cuba.
I do believe Obama is making a good decision by visiting Cuba. People may criticize Obama’s decision to visit Cuba, but his belief is that by creating deeper economic links with them, they themselves can begin to look at political freedoms and human-rights concerns. Cuba needs a push in the right direction if people want to see democratic reforms—and that’s just what this is. After such a long period of isolation, Cuba should welcome a helping hand. Obama plans to ease restrictions on the operation of U.S. companies in the country; Cuba should allow them to hire Cubans on their own. Obama also plans to increase Internet access which is already taking effect as Cuba announced late last month that it would launch a pilot project to bring broadband Internet access inside homes in Old Havana. These advances not only benefits Cuba’s economy and development, but America’s as well. And on top of that, it boosts America’s global reputation as a diplomatic power, instead of the dreaded “military policemen”, as Justin stated. Mr. Obama’s visit is can earn respect and validity in the eyes of other Western countries.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/president-obama-plans-to-make-historic-visit-to-cuba-in-march-official-says-1455762687
I completely disagree with the notion that we, as Americans, need to wait for a "free Cuba" before establishing a stronger diplomatic presence. That is the definition of pulling an argument out of thin air. Increased tourism, increased economic presence, increased pressure from the international community will shape Cuba into a freer country without military intervention. When we left Cuba, the superpowers of the world were as aggressive and dangerous as the small militant groups nowadays. Soon, Cubans and the Cuban government will realize that taking part in a global economy benefits every single one of their citizens, that capitalism improves the lives of the leaders, the elite, and the poor. Cubans will want to take part in the world stage and will slowly give up their Castro roots in order to take place in it.
As both Caitlyn and Gursimar said, Obama's made the right choice. Our relationship with Cuba has to improve at some point and it certainly isn't going to get better all by itself. It needs the help of proper diplomacy. Obama is extending the proverbial olive branch, and as Justin mentioned, he is setting a precedent for the involvement of the US in Cuba and in other world conflicts. A common criticism of the US is that they act too much like a global police force, involving themselves where they really aren't necessary. Obama is toeing the fine line between diplomatic relations and world policing, but it's a risk that he must take. As he said in his tweet announcing his upcoming visit "We still have differences with the Cuban government that I will raise directly. America will always stand for human rights around the world." Obama makes a very good point here. We have an obligation to work things out with Cuba face to face, rather than subversively. The Obama administration has released that while there have been improvements in Cuba, the US is not entirely satisfied with the speed or totality of the changes. Therefore, hopefully Obama's visit will inspire change and be the first step towards a working relationship between Cuba and the US.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/president-obama-planning-trip-cuba-month-sources/story?id=37015093
I disagree with h JustinTime and Gursimar on this issue. I think that Obama’s decision to rebuild relations with Cuba is a mistake. His drive for human rights sounds all well and good, but is it realistic? His relationship with the Cuban government will legitimize them and will benefit the Cuban government more than it will help the people of Cuba. We as a country should not give any credit to a government that does not care for the rights of its own people. Obama wants to “normalize” the relations with the Cuban government; however, the Cuban government’s interests do not include increasing humanitarian efforts for their own people. The Cuban government has even increased persecution of their dissidents for protesting against the human government. Therefore, this visit will most likely not benefit the Cuban people at all. There is a reason that no president since Calvin Coolidge has visited Cuba for diplomatic purposes. Capitol Hill Cubans have even said that they do not approve with this plan because it would reawaken American relationships with the dictatorships of the world. Obama is under the impression that if we are nice to Cuba, they will be nice to us, but I believe that it is naïve to think this way.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/president-obama-plans-to-make-historic-visit-to-cuba-in-march-official-says-1455762687
I agree with the stance that it is long overdue that the United States rekindled relations with Cuba. Of course, during the thick of the Cold War, Cuba seemingly turned on the United States in favour of the Soviet Union and made itself to be an enemy too close for comfort. However, by the time the Cold War ended in 1991, Cuba was already a rapidly declining 'power'and they hadn't done much to warrant such neglect since the missile crisis in 1962; despite what the Bush Administration may say. Sanctions placed by the United States on Cuba have essentially suppressed the ability of the Cuban people to achieve success on a global level, up until this point. Obama understands that there are obvious differences between America and Cuba, but he has also come to the realization that effective diplomacy is significantly favoured to giving the cold shoulder. By opening our resources to Cuba, the United States is acting as the harbinger of liberty and prosperity, as it should be. I believe there is close to no harm in creating ties with Cuba, especially due to the economic nature of the situation, there is too much good opportunity, for both nations, for Obama to not care. Working together is always the answer to building a stronger world.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/president-obama-planning-trip-cuba-month-sources/story?id=37015093
I totally agree with the point you made at the end of your article, Justin. Cuba is not going to simply become "free" of its own accord. As a country, we have ignored Cuba for the better part of the last century as if refusing to acknowledge it would solve its problems. Normalizing relations could, ostensibly, lead to greater American influence in the country on economic, political, and social levels. Perhaps the Cuban people will enjoy a higher quality of life with greater access to consumer goods and a rejuvenated international trade.
Should these developments come to pass, it is not unthinkable that the Cuban people will begin clamoring for political reform. While these extensions are obviously hypothetical, and maybe a bit naive on my part, normalizing relations is the only course of action that might lead to better lives for the Cuban people in the future. Ignoring Cuba has done nothing for its people, and we should strive to build an amicable relationship with the country so that we might not only better our own position to help the Cubans, but so that they may improve their own circumstances. The current and pervading stagnancy of the Cuban economy must be alleviated, and I feel that normalizing relations is the most appropriate path to achieving that goal.
I am going to have to disagree with most of the remarks on this thread. As a Cuban myself (yeah I went there), my family has a lot of experience with property seizures and suppression of free speech. Granted, that was decades ago, but Cuba still consistently ranks on authoritarian government lists, and continues to commit human rights abuses.
You are right to say that the government is not going to improve "magically." However, simply opening an embassy will not do much either. Lifting travel bans and arranging presidential visits lends a sort of legitimacy to the Castro regime that has not been warranted by significant Cuban policy change.
Instead, we should allow American telecom companies to negotiate deals and invest on the island, if the government promises full Internet access to all citizens. We can begin normalizing relations, but only if the government allows opposition parties and ends censorship.
It's very true that the Cuba policy has been long-standing and unchanged since the Cold War, but it is for good reason. Cuba's government is the antiquated remnant of the old order, and we should put a stop to it.
I think that this is a good idea to try to attempt to connect with any country we can. Isolating a nearby country can lead to bad situations, if even Cuba is currently in a good enough status to do much, so reconnecting with them is a good idea. I don't know if the government will do as well to make change as hoped, because they have not proven to be very trustworthy before. I'm not sure how much harm would come out of this though, so I think this was a good move by Obama to make a re-connection right before he leaves office. If things don't go well, then we will continue with they way our relationship has been going, although that is not a preferred option. Hopefully the Cuban government responds well and talks end in a positive note, because the Cuban people do need some outside help.
I agree with maybesarah's comment and her belief that Obama is making the right decision to visit Cuba. As JustinTime stated in his post, a President of the United States has not traveled to Cuba in 88 years!! I give credit to Obama for breaking this long period of disconnection with our neighboring country. Change is a good thing. Obama's visit gives us a chance to improve our relationship with Cuba. "There is so much more than can be done -- by the United States, and by the Cuban government -- to advance this opening in ways that will be good for Cubans, and good for the United States. We want to open up more opportunity for United States businesses and travelers to engage with Cuba, and we want the Cuban government to open up more opportunities for its people to benefit from that engagement," Ben Rhodes wrote, the Deputy National Security Advisor. Rhode's statement highlights how communication with Cuba will allow both countries to benefit and provide opportunities for one another. I believe Cubans could definitely benefit from the United States as we are a large country with a large and diverse amount of resources. During Obama's visit, hopefully Cuba will be open to improving their relationship with the United States.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/president-obama-planning-trip-cuba-month-sources/story?id=37015093
Post a Comment