06-09-2005 13:48									#1
	Castro offers medical aid to U.S. Got spare money?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/03/katrina.castro/

Latest news is that the doctors are ready to go. They are just waiting for the US gov. to say ok.

If there is anyone left in New Orleans to be attended to...

	06-09-2005 14:14									#2
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I wonder if they'll go by rafts made from milk cartons and tin cans via Florida?

	06-09-2005 14:15									#3
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quote: Originally posted by Winston I wonder if they'll go by rafts made from milk cartons and tin cans via Florida?

	06-09-2005 14:16									#4
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What have you offered in the ways of assistance to the hurricane victims so far, Winston?

	06-09-2005 14:19									#5
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Nothing.

BTW, the only reason Fidel Castro is offering this, is to try and make U.S. authorities look bad, since there's no way they could afford politically to accept it.

It's just another example of someone attempting to capitalize on the tragedy for their own politcal ends.

	06-09-2005 14:21									#6
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Yes Winston, but why don't you get out more?

	06-09-2005 14:57									#7
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BS Winston.

The US sent help to Iran after they were struck by that earthquake. If the Iranians had no problem with it,I dont see why the US would have one.

The Cuban intention is an honorable one and the US should politely accept.

	06-09-2005 14:59									#8
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There was lots of crap about Iran not accepting US help. This is the same situation basically. EVIL CASTRO OFFERING HELP THAT COULD SAVE THE LIVES IF CITIZENS!

Damn Fidel.. damnantion!

	06-09-2005 15:04									#9
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How dare they offer help! Cuba will pay for this outrage!

	06-09-2005 15:07									#10
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quote: Originally posted by Daz BS Winston.

Oh yeah? How would the U.S. go about maintaining an embargo in the aftermath, if they decided to suddenly disregard it to allow medical assistance in?

quote: Originally posted by Daz The Cuban intention is an honorable one and the US should politely accept.

And - unrelated to the issue at hand, but since you mentioned it - there's nothing "honourable" about Fidel Castro. He's a despot who's had a very firm grip on Cuban balls for 46 years now. His regime is criminal and an affront to human rights.

He's doing this to embarras the U.S., because he knows it will be turned down.

	06-09-2005 15:07									#11
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Sure, why not. No one will change their opinion of such an idiotic dictator, but at least people's lives will be helped or saved.

	06-09-2005 15:09									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Winston Oh yeah? How would the U.S. go about maintaining an embargo in the aftermath, if they decided to suddenly disregard it to allow medical assistance in?

Thats of course much more important than some people needing help.

	06-09-2005 15:11									#13
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Obviously the Cubans felt that offering help would be a good way to improve relations, like how Greece and Turkey managed to become friends in the wake of the earthquake there.

	06-09-2005 15:12									#14
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quote: Originally posted by BeBro Thats of course much more important than some people needing help.

It is, since the Cuban offer would make little difference at this point - compared to the negative political effects of lifting the embargo.

	06-09-2005 15:13									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Sandman Obviously the Cubans felt that offering help would be a good way to improve relations, like how Greece and Turkey managed to become friends in the wake of the earthquake there.

My impression is the U.S. doesn't want to be friends with the current regime, so it's a bit beside the point really.

	06-09-2005 15:13									#16
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How do you know what difference it would have made exactly during the last days?

	06-09-2005 15:15									#17
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I'm guessing, as are you I presume.

	06-09-2005 15:18									#18
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I did not make any statement about what difference it would make. My POV is however that in such a situation any form of help should be seriously considered, and not quickly refused due to political differences.

You were quick to say it wouldn't do much, something that seems impossible to know from here.

	06-09-2005 15:23									#19
	Re: Castro offers medical aid to U.S. Increase the size of your Attachments

Perhaps he can help us with the persistant pain in the dong we've been experiencing for the last 45 years or so. It might be related to the malignancy just below our dong which has been in place over the same period.

	06-09-2005 15:24									#20
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No BeBro, I was quick to say it would make little difference at this point compared to the negative impact of lifting the embargo.

Now it seems you're making the assumption that the offer is not being given serious consideration. I'm quite sure it is, it's just not that difficult of a decision to make, in light of what I just stated about the importance of maintaining the embargo.

But let's see what happens.

	06-09-2005 15:26									#21
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quote: Originally posted by Winston Now it seems you're making the assumption that the offer is not being given serious consideration. I'm quite sure it is, it's just not that difficult of a decision to make, in light of what I just stated about the importance of maintaining the embargo.

It wasn't an assumption about the US reaction, but a fact about your reaction towards the offer

	06-09-2005 15:28									#22
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Wrt. Cuba, same thing.

	06-09-2005 15:37									#23
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quote: Originally posted by Winston My impression is the U.S. doesn't want to be friends with the current regime, so it's a bit beside the point really.

It didn't want to 'be friends' with Khomeini's regime in Iran, but it didn't restrict the sale of missiles to them.


Only Cuban gift horses should be looked in the mouth then ?

Surely medical supplies and blankets or tents or water purifiers won't turn the Big Easy into Kronstadt ?

	06-09-2005 15:42									#24
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The Iranian thing was a mistake. I never agreed with it.

Technically however, it was the Israelis who supplied the Iranians with the anti-tank weapons, and the U.S. then agreed to resupply the Israeli stock. Just to keep that side of it straight.

Edit: And it wasn't done in order to court Iranian "friendship", but in the hopes of securing the release of hostages, held for over a year in Beirut. The reasons for the operation being conceived and given the go were certainly understandable, but like I said, I still disagree with it.

Last edited by Winston on 06-09-2005 at 15:48

	06-09-2005 15:49									#25
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I don't see what the issue is with Cuba nowadays, I mean in the Cold War ok, now it seems petty. It's not because he's a dictator, because the house of Saud, Musharraf, Mugabe etc are traded with.

Must be the communism thing.. aren't you over it yet?

(btw Winston I like how you as a danish person speaks for all of the US...)

	06-09-2005 15:51									#26
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You must be reading something into my posts that I just don't see myself.

You will allow me to express my personal opinion on the importance of the embargo, I trust?

	06-09-2005 15:57									#27
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BTW, Mugabe isn't traded with. But then Hu Jintao is. Funny you didn't mention him.

	06-09-2005 16:03									#28
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quote: Originally posted by Sandman Obviously the Cubans felt that offering help would be a good way to improve relations, like how Greece and Turkey managed to become friends in the wake of the earthquake there.

Exactly.


It could start a new chapter in U.S.-Cuban relations, and more importantly save some lives. Instead, I suspect that Bush's political pride will get in the way. The result will be more American dead for no good reason.

	06-09-2005 16:11									#29
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Sandman

Winston

	06-09-2005 16:14									#30
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The only reason noone will lift the embargo is because the Cuban expats in Florida, which as we all know is an essential state in any election, would go against whoever did it. If it weren't for that the embargo would've been lifted 15 years ago.