The Sarasota Herald Tribune today carried the news that the Sarasota-Havana Regatta being planned by the Sarasota Yacht Club has been postponed due to lack of permit.  After being clued in by Ziva, I had limited myself to posting about it in my blog, but to read the stupidity being spouted by the same entity, today of all [...]

Today, reports are that the  Pontiff has come out to let us know that Cuba is loosening the strictures against religion, and all is right with the world, so now there should be reconciliation with the United States.  His Holiness further expressed sympathy for the suffering of the Cuban people due to the economic downturn, natural disasters and, oh, yes, the [...]

Did you know that the Smithsonian Postal Museum,  in conjunction with the San Carlos Institute in Key West, maintains an interesting website about Cuban stamps/aviation/history?  I didn't.  
The actual philatelic (always wanted to use that word)  exhibit, the Pichs Collection, seems to be in Key West.  See Cigar Mike's earlier post for info about and a beautiful [...]

The Keith Roma who called his father from Fire Patrol 2 in Greenwich Village on 9/11 was not the one I once knew.  He was not a high school boy with a sheepish grin and an impish glint in his eye, a bright student always up for a bit of fun.  The Keith Roma who [...]

The AFP  informs that Thursday's State Department easing of remittance and family travel restrictions  didn't go far enough for the Cuban dictatorship.   The tone of the denunciation decrying the move as a "cosmetic coat of paint," something they know a thing or two about, would seem to strike a harsh note. 
Of course, it is not unusual for an American President [...]

Not surprisingly, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, taking a page from cronies Chavez, Morales, et al, is seeking a referendum to change the Nicaraguan Constitution so he can run for re-election.  The people, he declares, should be able to choose their own leaders.  One can only hope that "the people" take instruction from their northern neighbor and [...]

It would seem a shame that someone championing a seminar entitled "Rapprochement With Cuba: Good for Tampa Bay, Good For Florida, Good For America" hosted  by an entity which calls  itself  the “Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy” would not exercise a bit of that same spirit of rapprochement toward his fellow American citizens, or even [...]

Yes, you have to wonder what fuels someone like  Brendan McCaffrey.  I ignored this when it first appeared in the Miami Herald.  Could be I was still smarting from their latest editorial, which I also chose to ignore.  But then I stumbled on the same advice on a PR news wire.  To what end?  Publicity?  It is certainly not [...]

Had to share this with you all.  Here's some opinion from Pravda.ru.  Yup, Pravda.  I'm not sure what to make of it, but I found it interesting.  I'll leave you with the author's parting shot:
The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, [...]

I fantasize that one day, I'll open the paper and read that headline.  It is, after all, essentially the case. Aside from idealogues, the greatest chearleaders for ending the embargo and attendant travel restrictions, are almost invariably ranchers, farmers, wouldbe investors.  The latest entity- doubtless fueled by the desire to democratize Cuba one tourist at a time- to enter [...]

in the continuing saga of those who, based on a combination of ignorance and wishful thinking, would prop up the ruling military junta in Havana.  Tomorrow retired Gen Barry McCaffrey will testify on US/Cuba relations before a House committee.  Details here in a Press Release.
I might find the General more impressive were he not one of the [...]

Gallup has come out with a poll which has 60% of Americans polled as favoring establishing relations, 51% in favor of lifting the embargo, and 64% for American travel to the island.  Given the unholy trio of media, academia, and mindless dolts in entertainment, not to mention the pictures of Europeans lounging on the beaches [...]

Seems Cubans have more than one friend at Yale. I knew about Professor Carlos Eire, author of the most moving memoir- Waiting for Snow in Havana- and staunch friend of Cuban freedom, as well as of this blog. But here is a commentary from another, Roberto González Echevarría, in which he indicates that Obama should [...]

Take that you intransigent hardliners! Chalk up another one for the ruling military junta. Not because as the media would have you believe, it is a sign of the eroding support for holding said misgoverning body accountable, but rather because it is a win-win situation for the Havana strongmen. They have gained [...]

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus might do well to read a report put out by Hans de Salas del Valle, associate of the The Cuba Transition Project over at University of Miami, as they sun themselves on the beach at Varadero.  Some highlights:
Afro-Cubans comprise over 60 percent of the island’s population, yet… [1]
• Black and [...]

Not content with the conventional lack of wisdom that hordes of mojito- swilling, jinetera-loving American tourists will accomplish what hundreds of thousands foreigners have failed to do- make an opening for democracy- or the hand wringing at the thought of the millions of dollars US business are losing out on by not being able to trade with [...]

In a move seemingly linked to finances, the Sun-Sentinel is closing down its Havana bureau, recalling reporter Ray Sanchez who had the distinction of being the last print reporter based in Havana. Still left on the island are NBC, AP, and CNN.  Report here.

At least two of the names being mentioned for MGM's Three Stooges movie seem particularly apropos.  Given their glorification of certain unsavory characters, Mssrs. Penn and Del Toro would already seem to have experience in their roles.  Article here.

Glowing report in the Tampa Bay Business Journal about the Cuba trade expo, the opportunities to do business with Cuba just waiting to be plucked like some ripe fruit.   One would think that an organ which purports to be a business journal has some obligation to ground its reporting in fact.  But apparently kids aren't the only [...]

So having just checked out at the supermarket on Sunday, I walk over to customer service. Now as any smoker worth his or her salt knows, you absolutely never buy cigarettes at a supermarket, but I was lazy. It was then that I was reminded that I was paying for the health insurance [...]