CUBA!!! FILE DIRECT!!!!

[chrisk]

Haiti which is a democracy and next to Cuba has a per capita income of $1,300 while communist Cuba has a per capita income of $10,000. Cuba public debt is 35.9% GDP vs 71.8% GDP for the US (CIA World facts book). Health service in Cuba is free and good. Blacks in Cuba do not riot and burn their own towns.  

 

José

 It might be more fair to compare to other places.  In the Dominican Republic the per capita income is $9700, and Debt is 47% of GDP.    And in Mexico it $15,600 and 37%.

[Piloto]

Hector

 

If the past president of Venezuela opted for terminal medical treatment in Cuba rather than in his own country what does that tells you? Chavez didn't even try other countries, maybe because it was free in Cuba.

 

José

[Piloto]

 It might be more fair to compare to other places.  In the Dominican Republic the per capita income is $9700, and Debt is 47% of GDP.    And in Mexico it $15,600 and 37%.

 

But none of the above countries had a US embargo for 50 years.

 

José

[chrisk]

Oh boy.  Before I go into a political rant, I look forward to the day when I can make an emergency landing in Cuba for fuel or a mechanical without the concern of having my plane taken by the US government for violating an embargo. 

[Hector]

Hector

If the past president of Venezuela opted for terminal medical treatment in Cuba rather than in his own country what does that tells you? Chavez didn't even try other countries, maybe because it was free in Cuba.

José

Well you do have a point here. There are a few medical facilities in Cuba that are outstanding and lack nothing, from the best doctors to the latest technology and medicines. Unfortunately, they are only available to the privilege few in the communist party. Your regular comrade in the street has no chance of getting into one of these. I have a cousin in Miami who is always looking for 'a good deal'. Needed a lot of dental work (upwards of $10K) and thought 'hey, why not go to Cuba and visit another cousin who is a dentist and pay her a small fraction of what it would cost here'. Looked like a great plan in which everyone wins, that is, until he got there and took a look at the medical center where she works. The equipment, including the dentist chair, literally looked like the stuff that was there in the late 50's. He had to cough up some Dollars in order for her to come up with enough anesthetic to care of business. He quickly realized that this was going to be a painful experience and the deal was getting worse by the minute. In the end he decided to get only the simple stuff done there in fear that the outcome would not be good and would cost him a lot more to fix back in the states.

All in all, Cuba has a highly educated workforce that is very eager to work and given the chance under the proper conditions I have no doubt will transform the country in just a few years. The only question is whether the leadership there will take this opportunity to effect change. I'm not even talking about drastic change or even democracy (at least not at first). Even if they don't relinquish political power maybe they can see their way through turning the economy loose (Chinese model). This would improve the lives of the Cuban people immensely. The rest will come with time. I remember as a little kid going the the beach in Varadero. Man I would love to fly my Mooney there. Been to a lot of beaches since, but don't remember them like Varadero. It is the only beach my Dad and I got to enjoy together. My Dad passed away earlier this year so will definitely not be having a cerveza with him there, but it is the first thing I will do if I ever get to visit. Will drink a Bucanero beer and smoke a big cigar while I watch my own kids enjoy The beach.

[Marauder]

Why do I have a feeling Timmy will be making a guest appearance on this thread?

[flyboy0681]

Oh boy.  Before I go into a political rant, I look forward to the day when I can make an emergency landing in Cuba for fuel or a mechanical without the concern of having my plane taken by the US government for violating an embargo. 

 

I look forward to making a cruise stop in Havana.

[Hector]

I look forward to making a cruise stop in Havana.

If Cuba does open up navigating the Caribbean now becomes a lot easier. If you can fly down the length of the island and stop anywhere you like to refuel it opens up a lot of possibilities. Cancun is now a very manageable 120 mile leg over water, Jamaica less than 100 miles. Cayman islands are doable and Dominican Republic an PR are easy. You can fly down the Bahamas chain to get to DR and PR, but flying the length of Cuba would now be a very appealing alternative with only about a 50 mile over water leg. Key West to Havana is a short hop and all these other destination become relatively short over water legs.

[neilpilot]

Oh boy.  Before I go into a political rant, I look forward to the day when I can make an emergency landing in Cuba for fuel or a mechanical without the concern of having my plane taken by the US government for violating an embargo. 

IIRC years ago one of the Cayman Caravan organizers (Paul Bertorelli) had electrical issues on the way back and landed in Cuba for repairs.  He had his Mooney back in the air in a day or so, and recall he didn't experienced any issues related to the embargo.

[Oscar Avalle]

Cuba is a very interesting and beautiful country. I was there during the summer and I really liked it. There was already quite a significant number of US tourist on the island, mostly from Florida. We had a nice time with the kids. 

[Bennett]

I've flown across Cuba several times with the Cayman Caravan group. Beautiful from the air, and the Cuban controllers were friendly and spoke English quite well. Personally, I will fly to Cuba when Americans can land there. Hopefully the Baja Bush Pilots (international Bush Pilots) will organize a group trip to fly to/from Cuba. They had a trip to Cuba last years, but only by commercial flight.

[gsxrpilot]

As the resident liberal on this board you might expect that I'd support this action by the President... and you'd be right.  I certainly don't want to support the dictatorship in Havana and would be in favor of virtually any policy that would bring liberty to the citizens of Cuba.  But I think we can all agree that the policy of isolation has had 50 years to work and the Castro brothers are still in power.  So it makes sense to me that we might try something else.  In fact, with the Castro's getting on in years and likely to pass soon, the timing here might turn out to be an excellent strategy.  If the Cuban's can have a taste of the things freedom can bring with the lifting of the embargo, when the Castro boys do pass on, they might be more likely to take the opportunity to force change.

 

Regardless, I'm always in favor of communication and engagement. I think Nixon going to China proved the worth of that. And like I said, we've tried the other for 50 years with no change.

 

And while we're exchanging people... can we send Cruz and Rubio back ;-)

[flyboy0681]

As the resident liberal on this board...

 

Your services sure can be used in the Little Timmy thread.

[DaV8or]

I'm not sure why people think that normalized relations with the US would do much for the people of Cuba. They have normal relations with I think every other country in the world now. Countries outside Cuba can trade and travel to Cuba now. It hasn't helped them much. More American tourists will only give them a slight bump.

 

Until Cuba changes their policies and allows private ownership of property, foreign investment and private enterprise there, nothing will really change with, or without a new embassy and Americans traveling direct.

[fantom]

Your services sure can be used in the Little Timmy thread.

Just note that over there Little Timmy refers to himself and other far left liberals as 'moderates.'

[flyboy0681]

Just note that over there Little Timmy refers to himself and other far left liberals as 'moderates.'

 

I don't have a far left bone in my body. I don't know why you are fixated on that.

[DaV8or]

Just note that over there Little Timmy refers to himself and other far left liberals as 'moderates.'

 

Wait, now I'm confused. I thought Little Timmy was a conservative and was wondering why things weren't just like in the good ol' days? Is Little Timmy one of the much dreaded and reviled "flip floppers"?

[flyboy0681]

Wait, now I'm confused. I thought Little Timmy was a conservative and was wondering why things weren't just like in the good ol' days? Is Little Timmy one of the much dreaded and reviled "flip floppers"?

 

Fantom was referring to me. I label myself as a moderate but he believes I swing to the far left.

[N201MKTurbo]

How did little Timmy get in here? I thought we had a special place for him!

[fantom]

Fantom was referring to me. I label myself as a moderate but he believes I swing to the far left.

 

A rose by any other name....even if a friend.

 

What is a name?

That which you call a 'moderate',

By any name (self-label) would smell as liberal....

[flyboy0681]

A rose by any other name....even if a friend.

 

What is a name?

That which you call a 'moderate',

By any name (self-label) would smell as liberal....

 

 

I have a thick skin.

 

Once again for the record, I'm fiscally conservative, don't approve of abortion, believe in the 2nd Amendment, that all citizens should get the healthcare that they may need, am for gay rights (but not the term marriage), support Social Security and government regulation up to a certain point. 

[fantom]

I have a thick skin.

......government regulation up to a certain point. 

 

...and a good sense of humor.

 

It all comes down the location of that 'certain point'......So, file direct for Cuba

[flyboy0681]

...and a good sense of humor.

 

It all comes down the location of that 'certain point'......So, file direct for Cuba

 

 

FDA = regulations need to keep drug and food chain safe

 

Dept of Education= very poor example of regulation

 

FAA = required regulation but can be overbearing and overreaching

 

FTC = mixture of good and bad

 

SEC = good intentions, poorly run

 

FCC = outmoded in 21st century (wardrobe malfunction anyone?)

[bonal]

This is starting to sound a lot like LT. I think it's great that we have a thread to duke it out over political views just hope it stays in its box.

Just my humble opinion.

[ryoder]

Cuba is an inherently political topic,especially here in Florida. Personally I think the Cubans should pay for the property they appropriated from Americans and other foreign investors. All land and property should be turned back to the rightful owners and their families or corporations before th sanctions are lifted.