Comments on: Things are getting better in Cuba http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/ ...an island on the net without a bearded dictator Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:47:20 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » The Guatemalan revolution Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/#comment-95938 Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » The Guatemalan revolution Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean Tue, 19 May 2009 21:24:38 +0000 http://babalublog.com/?p=21806#comment-95938 [...] Things are getting better in Cuba [...] [...] Things are getting better in Cuba [...]

]]> By: Carlos_Frias http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/#comment-95934 Carlos_Frias Tue, 19 May 2009 18:43:30 +0000 http://babalublog.com/?p=21806#comment-95934 My e-mail to the author of this article, Daniel Thomas: Daniel, I'm a journalist, too, so I know it sucks to get email that finds fault, but I felt I had to write a note to say that I wish you had included just one fact in your story: "Cubans, however, are not allowed to own or purchase property, as has been the case since the government nationalized private property." I think that by writing that Cuba is "moving toward a freer market economy" it undercuts the fact that this supposed change does not extend to citizens on the island. The truth is that very few people understand how restrictive the Cuban government is toward its people, and this story made it seem that life is going to get better for people on the island because of this move. It's not. Anyway, not picking on you, just wanted to ask you to consider the point the next time you write about Cuba. Thanks for taking the time to read this note. Carlos Frías www.cfrias.com My e-mail to the author of this article, Daniel Thomas:

Daniel,

I'm a journalist, too, so I know it sucks to get email that finds fault, but I felt I had to write a note to say that I wish you had included just one fact in your story: "Cubans, however, are not allowed to own or purchase property, as has been the case since the government nationalized private property."

I think that by writing that Cuba is "moving toward a freer market economy" it undercuts the fact that this supposed change does not extend to citizens on the island. The truth is that very few people understand how restrictive the Cuban government is toward its people, and this story made it seem that life is going to get better for people on the island because of this move. It's not.

Anyway, not picking on you, just wanted to ask you to consider the point the next time you write about Cuba.

Thanks for taking the time to read this note.

Carlos Frías

http://www.cfrias.com

]]> By: ranavy33 http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/#comment-95933 ranavy33 Tue, 19 May 2009 15:28:41 +0000 http://babalublog.com/?p=21806#comment-95933 My prediction: Naive foreigners will "buy" property, fix it up, then have it confiscated by the Cuban government in the Cuban version of "eminent domain." My prediction: Naive foreigners will "buy" property, fix it up, then have it confiscated by the Cuban government in the Cuban version of "eminent domain."

]]> By: Lazaro http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/#comment-95932 Lazaro Tue, 19 May 2009 14:14:34 +0000 http://babalublog.com/?p=21806#comment-95932 So the Castros have enslaved the island, and now, after 50 years, are selling off the plantation. So the Castros have enslaved the island, and now, after 50 years, are selling off the plantation.

]]> By: joaquin http://babalublog.com/2009/05/things-are-getting-better-in-cuba/#comment-95931 joaquin Tue, 19 May 2009 13:26:45 +0000 http://babalublog.com/?p=21806#comment-95931 Oh boy, I can't wait to go back and buy some real estate! Eh, wait a minute. How am I going to get title? How will I be provided title insurance? How am I going to get an accurate survey? I guess I'll have to pay cash because I'm sure there isn't any financing. How is the property valued? Appraisal? Yeah right! Will I be able to sell my property? To whom? Eh, minor details............................ Oh boy, I can't wait to go back and buy some real estate!
Eh, wait a minute.
How am I going to get title?
How will I be provided title insurance?
How am I going to get an accurate survey?
I guess I'll have to pay cash because I'm sure there isn't any financing.
How is the property valued? Appraisal? Yeah right!
Will I be able to sell my property? To whom?

Eh, minor details............................

]]>