I normally avoid politics on all message boards I frequent, since they tend to be rather Shakespearian ("Full of Sound and Fury, signifying nothing."). But this 'diplomatic recognition' of Cuba (or whatever the pundits are calling it) intrigues me.
Mostly because the reaction has been..well, rather muted. Yes, there has been protests by Cuban-American expats and the usual suspects are blaming President Obama for either doing to much/too little/too fast/too slow, but it is hardly the fuss and bother you'd think it would be, reversing a 50+ year policy.
And I think I know why. Both Liberals and Conservatives can see advantage to it.
For Liberals, it ends what most see as a ridiculously old and illogical policy (it might have made sense in the 1950's and 1960's; it is hard to say what benefits it has now) and an attempt to 'engage' Cuba and help in determining how that country develops once the Castro Brothers, Inc. are gone for good.
For Conservatives, it gets rid of a policy they no longer want to defend and it is being done by a Democrat, whom they can hang any lack of success on with the Florida Cuban-American community (the policy has been for the Electoral votes of Florida for the last 30 years, IMHO). It also allows for the possibility of capitalism (albeit Chinese or Russian style) coming to Cuba and new business opportunities for American business with millions of new potential customers.
At minimum, Major League baseball will support it.
So I'd like your opinions. Mine is, as you might have guessed, in favor of it. If we can have relations with nations like Russia, Saudi Arabia, et.c (pick your favorite bogeyman), not having relations with Cuba is nonsensical.
and, Mangy Fur the Smart Alick Spacecat.