“Background Noise”
In essence, that's what supporters of lifting the Cuba travel ban think the limitations on freedoms and rights violations of the Cuban people is: Background Noise.
Because it's all about the rights of Americans to travel and who gives a rats ass about that same right being afforded to the Cuban people.
The last line of the linked article, from Senator Byron Dorgan, a Democrat who sponsored the lift the travel ban bill, is truly a classic in Congressional cluelessness:
Do you think there will be a ghost of a chance of saying we are going to now restrict the right of the American people to travel to China?
Gee, I dont know, Senator. Tell me, how is that human rights thing working out in China?
Ahah the save Castro, rescue Chavez bill!
I got into a big argument the other day with a self described "conservative" who was taking the Ron Paul stance that we should lift the ban and "use capitalism" to transform Cuba through tourists. Sadly, this view is infecting the political right as well.
Well, Bill Clinton made pretty much the same argument about China - that "engagement" and improved economics would transform the dictatorship. Well, now they just have wealthy people without civil rights. That's only half an improvement in my view.