Gabriel Latrémouille wrote:
Just read the new US Decree forbidding sailing to Cuba in Cruising
World Magazine.

I am speechless, astounded, stunted, amazed, ****ed-off... the
arrogance, the gall, the pretensions, the abuse of American
citizens rights, the abuse of foreign sailors, the hidden agenda, !

I guess I'm most surprised that you're just now learning about this.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Doug Dotson wrote:

... The only reason that
folks have cruised to Cuba since it has been allowed over the
past few years is to impress others (ie. "Look at me, I'm so brave
that I went to Cuba") ...

Are you quite certain about this? Manu folks I know who have cruised Cuba
(i.e., not merely jumped over to Marina Hemingway and jumped back to
Florida) are not at all ready to make a fuss about their trip, since they
are aware of the US position and of the lengths the US government will go to
in order to make examples of citizens who violate Treasury regulations.

In addition, the case can easily be made that Cuba is not at all like
other destinations available to East Coast sailors.

First and most obviously, it's a totalitarian state with all that implies.
You don't get to visit too many places like that in a small boat these days.

Second, the Cuban people are simply unlike other people in the hemisphere.
They have had a unique experience, both culturally and governmentally, and
learning about this (as much as possible) is itself definitely worthwhile.

Third, there are no crowds. There is still a "wild west" flavor to
anchoring in out-of-the-way harbors along the Cuban coast that just cannot
be described. This is definitely _not_ 450 boats anchored in George Town
Exuma for the morning VHF roll call.

Fourth, the interior is lush and dramatic, and varies from the harsh culture
of sugar cultivation in the east to the maternal farming methods of tobacco
in the west. There is a lot to see and learn along the way.

Fifth, if you like music, there are few places in the hemisphere to match
what's available in Cuba. An argument can be made that the best baseball
players, the best tobacco, and the best music originate in Cuba..

Sixth, getting a glimpse of the human side of the above issues is an
invaluable experience. It certainly gives one a different perspective on
the bountiful country we live in here in the US.

Other than these few items, I don't think we differ much in our opinions.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

While the original proposal released to the media touted the restriction
of Cuban Americans sending money to relatives in Cuba the actual policy
does not. The "official" amount of money transferred is about $1B but
considerably more than that leaves Miami via couriers through Mexico.
It does however add some pretty Draconian penalties for non-Cuban
Americans traveling there.



--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Hello Gabriel Latrémouille and other Bush haters.

Comrades it is indeed most excellent of you and others to lend your
support to us wonderful Cubans.

As you know we are a truly wonderful people. I, as dictator, wish let
you know that you are all welcome to come and visit as much as you
like as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Since private property is unnecessary in this workers paradise, once
your boat arrived in our waters it is immediately the property of the
state. I consider our finest moment to be the dislocation of so many
from their property and not having to compensate them for it. We hope
you have very nice boats. The Cuban navy will put them to good use.
On the other hand, the weather is very nice and you can enjoy the
sunshine and work on your tan.

If you come to our country, expect to stay. You can only return to
the United States if you become criminally insane, infected with HIV,
are a murderer, homosexual, or have any other honest to god
psychopathy.

Speaking of god--we don't have one here in this paradise so please
leave your saint christopher medals outside our border.

You will not need any of those US dollars either because here
everything for sale is free. We'll take those dollars off your hands
right away. Right now we are out of everything. So there's not much
for sale but you can get an excellent deal on everything on our
shelves. It's free!!!!!

There's plenty of jobs--remember this is a workers paradise. All the
workers are happy and fully employed.

We have no crime here--being a workers paradise. Every one here is
giddy with joy. That's why we only send north the psychopaths,
infected, homosexuals etc.

For the life of me,I can't understand why so many of you comrades are
mad at Bush 43. Before him, Bill Clinton had the same policies
towards our paradise. And 43's father 41 had the same policy. And
before him Regan, and before him, Jimmy Carter etc. right back to JFK.

In CUBA, we have an especial affinity for those in the Democratic
party. Afterall, they agree with us that no one "needs" guns except
for the police and military. They are also beavering away in their
congress attempting to raise the tax rates to 100% of all earned
income over 1 cent. (JUST LIKE HERE!!!!!)

Once GWB43 is voted out you can come and visit as much as you like.
Unless you are from South Florida, and voted for GWB43. Even though
democrats pander to every liberal, unionist, gay, statist group of
people--we like them better than those hateful private property, free
speech loving, industrious savers in South Florida.

CommieFidel

On 10 May 2004 09:28:27 -0700, (CommieFidel)
wrote:

Hello Gabriel Latrémouille and other Bush haters.

Comrades it is indeed most excellent of you and others to lend your
support to us wonderful Cubans.

As you know we are a truly wonderful people. I, as dictator, wish let
you know that you are all welcome to come and visit as much as you
like as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Since private property is unnecessary in this workers paradise, once
your boat arrived in our waters it is immediately the property of the
state. I consider our finest moment to be the dislocation of so many
from their property and not having to compensate them for it. We hope
you have very nice boats. The Cuban navy will put them to good use.
On the other hand, the weather is very nice and you can enjoy the
sunshine and work on your tan.

If you come to our country, expect to stay. You can only return to
the United States if you become criminally insane, infected with HIV,
are a murderer, homosexual, or have any other honest to god
psychopathy.

Speaking of god--we don't have one here in this paradise so please
leave your saint christopher medals outside our border.

You will not need any of those US dollars either because here
everything for sale is free. We'll take those dollars off your hands
right away. Right now we are out of everything. So there's not much
for sale but you can get an excellent deal on everything on our
shelves. It's free!!!!!

There's plenty of jobs--remember this is a workers paradise. All the
workers are happy and fully employed.

We have no crime here--being a workers paradise. Every one here is
giddy with joy. That's why we only send north the psychopaths,
infected, homosexuals etc.

For the life of me,I can't understand why so many of you comrades are
mad at Bush 43. Before him, Bill Clinton had the same policies
towards our paradise. And 43's father 41 had the same policy. And
before him Regan, and before him, Jimmy Carter etc. right back to JFK.

In CUBA, we have an especial affinity for those in the Democratic
party. Afterall, they agree with us that no one "needs" guns except
for the police and military. They are also beavering away in their
congress attempting to raise the tax rates to 100% of all earned
income over 1 cent. (JUST LIKE HERE!!!!!)

Once GWB43 is voted out you can come and visit as much as you like.
Unless you are from South Florida, and voted for GWB43. Even though
democrats pander to every liberal, unionist, gay, statist group of
people--we like them better than those hateful private property, free
speech loving, industrious savers in South Florida.

CommieFidel

Don't get out much, do you?

On Sun, 09 May 2004 13:37:39 GMT, "Gabriel Latrémouille"
wrote:

Just read the new US Decree forbidding sailing to Cuba in Cruising World
Magazine.

I am speechless, astounded, stunted, amazed, ****ed-off... the arrogance,
the gall, the pretensions, the abuse of American citizens rights, the abuse
of foreign sailors, the hidden agenda, ! ! ! ! !



BUSHWHACKED!!!!!!

GL

Can you post a reference to or a summary of the article? Can't find it
on Cruisingworld.com...

Blame Mussolini (sp?)! He was so hard on the Mafia that US mobsters helped
allied intellegence during WW2. Ike got so indebted to them for this help,
and some 'personal' things they did for him that Charlie Lucky was released
and allowed to carry his $millions back to Sicily. Meanwhile Ike's yes-man
J-Edgar was proclaiming that no mob ever existed; but somehow non-existent
US criminals controlled Cuba, made big $$$ off gambling and pimping local
pretties and, more important, laundered the extortion money made in the USA.
This in turn gave them even more $$$ to spend on crooked cops and
politicians - which in turn gave them more political clout. Some thot it
utopian. I mean why bust yer ass cutting cane when your 13 year old could
turn tricks in Havana?

But then Castro kicked out the mob-owned government, and became an
international hero - until he stupidly interfered with Ike's buddies. Then
Lansky & friends called in some chips and in the midst of a US tour Castro
suddenly became a communist! I mean we *knew* he was a filthy commie because
he appropriated 'private property' - namely the mobs casinos and whore
houses - closed them down, and sent the girls home. So we slapped sanctions
on him and he became worse! He nationalized the medical business and MDs
could no longer make $million/year like in the states, so all the MDs moved
to Florida. He cracked down on crime, so all the criminals moved to Florida.
And when we really tightened the screws he got into bed with Kruchev! No
wonder Bush hates him so. How can an honest criminal make money with the
likes of Castro around?? Jeeze, it just 'taint right.

And that's why you can't go there ..... (c:

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
Doug Dotson wrote:

... The only reason that
folks have cruised to Cuba since it has been allowed over the
past few years is to impress others (ie. "Look at me, I'm so brave
that I went to Cuba") ...

Are you quite certain about this? Manu folks I know who have cruised Cuba
(i.e., not merely jumped over to Marina Hemingway and jumped back to
Florida) are not at all ready to make a fuss about their trip, since they
are aware of the US position and of the lengths the US government will go
to
in order to make examples of citizens who violate Treasury regulations.

I guess I meant the one that fill the cruising mags with stories
of their adventures.

In addition, the case can easily be made that Cuba is not at all like
other destinations available to East Coast sailors.

True, so why would I want to go there?

First and most obviously, it's a totalitarian state with all that implies.
You don't get to visit too many places like that in a small boat these
days.

Doesn't sound like a very pleasant place to go if you ask me.

Second, the Cuban people are simply unlike other people in the hemisphere.
They have had a unique experience, both culturally and governmentally, and
learning about this (as much as possible) is itself definitely worthwhile.

Possibly, but I don't have to cruise there to do that.

Third, there are no crowds. There is still a "wild west" flavor to
anchoring in out-of-the-way harbors along the Cuban coast that just cannot
be described. This is definitely _not_ 450 boats anchored in George Town
Exuma for the morning VHF roll call.

Not sure that cruising the wild-west is a fun thing. It's those arrows in my
back
that bother me.

Fourth, the interior is lush and dramatic, and varies from the harsh
culture
of sugar cultivation in the east to the maternal farming methods of
tobacco
in the west. There is a lot to see and learn along the way.

So is Costa Rica, Peurto Rico, and dozens of other places.

Fifth, if you like music, there are few places in the hemisphere to match
what's available in Cuba. An argument can be made that the best baseball
players, the best tobacco, and the best music originate in Cuba..

I still don't have to go there to appreciate.

Sixth, getting a glimpse of the human side of the above issues is an
invaluable experience. It certainly gives one a different perspective on
the bountiful country we live in here in the US.

Sure, I love vacations where I can emerse myself in other peoples
misery.

Other than these few items, I don't think we differ much in our opinions.

Agreed.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill

I know, I read it too.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cardinal Bill" wrote in
message ...
Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill