Nov 8, 2016 - The lesser of two evils?

[beast of the east]

I really hate this topic. I know that I can filter it out but it is easier for me to hit recent topics and with a lot of time to kill, I like reading everything, but prefer reading about lobster rolls, bets people make, and even where people are sending their kids to high school and college. I even prefer reading about Fun's view of politics in his game write ups because there is some humor and hot women to look at. I enjoy when JSJ, Beast of the East, Monte and others post articles about the university, business and education which can be civilly discussed.

I know that others enjoy posting about Donald and Hillary and at times I have been lured in but I wish we would enough games and sign enough recruits to keep people focused on what makes this website great, a distraction from the real world and it's angry arguments.

So carry on as I am just one person and the board is much bigger then me but as it is hard enough to have civility when debating Mussini and Ellison it is nearly impossible when debating Hillary and Donald.

Not a lobster roll but how about Lobster Ceviche and some grilled lobster tails I had in Cuba a couple of weeks ago


[attachment]20161230_1456311.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161230_1524201.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161231_1529521.jpg[/attachment]

I hired an worked with a cuban immigrant who had come directly from cuba to work for us. One of my hesitations to visiting cuba is that she had said that the best of everything was reserved for tourists. Cubans were not allowed to ride in air conditioned cabs, not allowed to buy coconut (or any)ice cream on the streets, and food is in very short supply. The government rations food, giving cubans 15 days of food per month, and they have to find a way to stretch it and find or grow food. Things we take for granted, like supermarkets stocked to the hilt with food, do not exist there. So, while i can appreciate the food you show, id have a hard time enjoying it there knowing it is not available to Cubans.

I wonder if your first hand observations were different

It's different to a certain extent there now but your friend isn't too far off on a couple of things. I don't know about coconut but Cubans can definitely buy ice cream on the street because it was so hot while we were there we stopped at a sidewalk ice cream stand that locals had told us about because we saw them eating ice cream

They do have food ration cards with certain types of food that they get real cheap ( or I think in some cases for free ) you wont see big grocery stores like you do here

Cubans can ride in whatever cabs they want but cabs are expensive ( basically like NY prices ) because the cost of gas is expensive there and because of the embargo it's just like in the pictures you see that like half the cars are from the 50's. Most Cubans take the local busses which are air conditioned because they are really really inexpensive.

We got picked up from the airport in a looking brand new 1951 Chevy ( I think Deluxe was the model name ). Locals call them Frankenstein cars because they might look brand new or in really good condition on the outside but under the hood they will use whatever parts they can find to keep the car running.

They use 2 currencies. One mainly that tourists use and 1 that locals use to buy their goods.

Here is the biggest difference that has happened in the last few years which will change locals lives exponentially for the better. A few years ago I'm assuming this happened under Fidel's brother but the government started letting people open up restaurants in their own houses. Or in buildings. These are called Paladar's. The govt lets the people keep their earnings from the Paladar. So while the Cuban govt owns most of the regular restaurants there is s huge burgeoning industry of people opening up Paladar's. Paladar's are going to be a lot more expensive than Cuban Govt owned restaurants and they buy a lot of their food imported or on a black market type thing but all the money you spend is going to the restaurant owner and workers. We only ate at Paladar's the entire time there unless we ate in Cuban's homes with whom we were staying

As far as staying in Cuba the govt owns all the hotels or has joint partnerships with outside companies. BUT and I have to give Obama credit for this and this is going to change cuba forever for the better over the past few years the govt there has let people open up B&B's in their houses. They are called Casa Particulars. Now because of Obama you now have airbnb there to make it much easier for people especially americans. The govt lets the hosts keep all the money. So while a hotel might cost $400 a night and even then some hotels are infamous for overbooking and then you end up scrambling to find a place but with Airbnb we stayed with local families and were paying max $35 a night. Then they will make you huge breakfast for $5 if you want and dinner in their house for $8-$10. And the places we stayed in were fantastic. I cant say enough good things about the familes we stayed with ( we stayed with 3 different families over 9 days in Havana and 1 family in Vinales which is in western Cuba where the tobacco is grown for the cigars

The 1 thing is salaries are low for the govt. The first family we stayed with was mother,father and daughter all professors and the fiancée of the daughter engineer. They were definitely a little bit more wealthy I guess you can say ( there house was great and you can tell they take great pride in taking care of it ) but the thing with Cuba is on their same block you might see a bunch of houses that are run down also but it's perfectly safe and I cant say enough how nice everyone is especially to americans. Cubans all hang out in the front of their houses with the doors open and people literally just walk across the street to their neighbors uninvited and just to talk and socialize. It's pretty much like an open door policy with neighbors. Super friendly

To give you an example of Salaries the last family we stayed with was in Old Havana. They are both early 40's and both doctors. Their salaries are something like $100 a month each. They have 3 bedrooms in their house ( all with their own bathrooms ) which they rent now for $35 a night so they are making $105 a night total not including what they make if you eat breakfast or dinner there. I was joking around with them telling them now they will be Dr Airbnb's

These families literally just started on airbnb a few months ago and we were the first americans to stay with 3 of the families. They were so nice literally all of us were choked up when we left 2 of the families.

What you do see is people doing 2nd jobs etc. Our driver for 2 of the days in Havana was a dentist and he drives tourists on the side because he makes more money doing that than being a dentist.

Our private driver from Havana to Vinales is an engineer. Same thing. he makes more money driving tourists in his spare time than he does being an engineer

The 2 things that suck are the internet there and the credit card situation. To get internet you have to go buy a card which works for an hour only at wifi spots. So internet really is non existant in homes. You will literally see 500 Cubans in a park at night in a wifi spot all looking at their phones and internet. Also they don't take US credit cards there because of the embargo so you have to carry s sh!tload of money there and then convert it as you need. Luckily with airbnb you can book your stays ahead of time here and use your credit card so your housing is fully paid for

All in all it was one of our top 5 favorite vacations. Not so much for sightseeing but because we had such an awesome time with the local Cubans and other than some govt owned bars we know all the money we spent at restaurants and housing went directly to the locals

I'd recommend for anyone to go. I wouldn't even hesitate to go back in the next year if I saw a good airfare since jetblue and delta fly direct now from JFK

Great review Mike. I actually did see a segment of Anthony Bourdain where Cubans explained the new laws allowing people to own a business (with government approval of course). I'm glad things have eased up, but still concerned about human rights violations there.

Many Cubans have been waiting for 60 years for the Castro regime to collapse. Many Cuban-Americans haven't been back since they escaped with the clothes on their backs. Many have had close relatives die in that timeframe. While I am happy in part to see travel restrictions lifted, I have to side on the part of the vast majority of Cuban Americans that felt the US shouldn't do anything to help keep the Castro regime in power, which is what lifting the embargo will do.

 

[fuchsia]

Fascinated by the discussion of Cuba but I have a question on the other topic. How will the Republican old power base communicate to Trump that his Presidency will be limited without a "Night of the Long Knives" and what will Bannon do to try and prevent it?

 

[beast of the east]

Fascinated by the discussion of Cuba but I have a question on the other topic. How will the Republican old power base communicate to Trump that his Presidency will be limited without a "Night of the Long Knives" and what will Bannon do to try and prevent it?

My feeling on the old Republican guard is that like all politicians, they will protect self interests first and foremost. It's clear that for the left, anything good Trump can accomplish hurts their own interests, so the only Democrats who will support any Trump initiative that appears to be in great public favor are those who are up for re-election in the upcoming cycle. Old guard Republicans will not oppose Trump at every turn, but will take a wait and see approach. Already many are warming up to his pro-America labor positions, since the electorate is viewing them well.

I'm curious to see how fervently the left will oppose Gorsuch. Like Roberts, I think it will be hard for them to find a scintilla of scandal. They do fear a constitutionalist though, since liberals expect a liberal supreme court justice to have their own personal opinions affect their decisions. I don't think from what I've read about Gorsuch that there is any such chance of that happening, and his credentials are superb.

It's interesting that the Harry Reid's "nuclear option" , a parliamentary procedure allowing a simple majority of 51 votes as opposed to a supermajority of 60, can now be used against the Democrats blocking the appointment. In this procedure, the presiding officer (Senate Majority leader) would rule that a simple majority vote end a debate. Reid invoked it to push through an anticipated liberal supreme court nominee, not thinking in his wildest dreams that Hillary would lose.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I really hate this topic. I know that I can filter it out but it is easier for me to hit recent topics and with a lot of time to kill, I like reading everything, but prefer reading about lobster rolls, bets people make, and even where people are sending their kids to high school and college. I even prefer reading about Fun's view of politics in his game write ups because there is some humor and hot women to look at. I enjoy when JSJ, Beast of the East, Monte and others post articles about the university, business and education which can be civilly discussed.

I know that others enjoy posting about Donald and Hillary and at times I have been lured in but I wish we would enough games and sign enough recruits to keep people focused on what makes this website great, a distraction from the real world and it's angry arguments.

So carry on as I am just one person and the board is much bigger then me but as it is hard enough to have civility when debating Mussini and Ellison it is nearly impossible when debating Hillary and Donald.

Not a lobster roll but how about Lobster Ceviche and some grilled lobster tails I had in Cuba a couple of weeks ago


[attachment]20161230_1456311.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161230_1524201.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161231_1529521.jpg[/attachment]

I hired an worked with a cuban immigrant who had come directly from cuba to work for us. One of my hesitations to visiting cuba is that she had said that the best of everything was reserved for tourists. Cubans were not allowed to ride in air conditioned cabs, not allowed to buy coconut (or any)ice cream on the streets, and food is in very short supply. The government rations food, giving cubans 15 days of food per month, and they have to find a way to stretch it and find or grow food. Things we take for granted, like supermarkets stocked to the hilt with food, do not exist there. So, while i can appreciate the food you show, id have a hard time enjoying it there knowing it is not available to Cubans.

I wonder if your first hand observations were different

It's different to a certain extent there now but your friend isn't too far off on a couple of things. I don't know about coconut but Cubans can definitely buy ice cream on the street because it was so hot while we were there we stopped at a sidewalk ice cream stand that locals had told us about because we saw them eating ice cream

They do have food ration cards with certain types of food that they get real cheap ( or I think in some cases for free ) you wont see big grocery stores like you do here

Cubans can ride in whatever cabs they want but cabs are expensive ( basically like NY prices ) because the cost of gas is expensive there and because of the embargo it's just like in the pictures you see that like half the cars are from the 50's. Most Cubans take the local busses which are air conditioned because they are really really inexpensive.

We got picked up from the airport in a looking brand new 1951 Chevy ( I think Deluxe was the model name ). Locals call them Frankenstein cars because they might look brand new or in really good condition on the outside but under the hood they will use whatever parts they can find to keep the car running.

They use 2 currencies. One mainly that tourists use and 1 that locals use to buy their goods.

Here is the biggest difference that has happened in the last few years which will change locals lives exponentially for the better. A few years ago I'm assuming this happened under Fidel's brother but the government started letting people open up restaurants in their own houses. Or in buildings. These are called Paladar's. The govt lets the people keep their earnings from the Paladar. So while the Cuban govt owns most of the regular restaurants there is s huge burgeoning industry of people opening up Paladar's. Paladar's are going to be a lot more expensive than Cuban Govt owned restaurants and they buy a lot of their food imported or on a black market type thing but all the money you spend is going to the restaurant owner and workers. We only ate at Paladar's the entire time there unless we ate in Cuban's homes with whom we were staying

As far as staying in Cuba the govt owns all the hotels or has joint partnerships with outside companies. BUT and I have to give Obama credit for this and this is going to change cuba forever for the better over the past few years the govt there has let people open up B&B's in their houses. They are called Casa Particulars. Now because of Obama you now have airbnb there to make it much easier for people especially americans. The govt lets the hosts keep all the money. So while a hotel might cost $400 a night and even then some hotels are infamous for overbooking and then you end up scrambling to find a place but with Airbnb we stayed with local families and were paying max $35 a night. Then they will make you huge breakfast for $5 if you want and dinner in their house for $8-$10. And the places we stayed in were fantastic. I cant say enough good things about the familes we stayed with ( we stayed with 3 different families over 9 days in Havana and 1 family in Vinales which is in western Cuba where the tobacco is grown for the cigars

The 1 thing is salaries are low for the govt. The first family we stayed with was mother,father and daughter all professors and the fiancée of the daughter engineer. They were definitely a little bit more wealthy I guess you can say ( there house was great and you can tell they take great pride in taking care of it ) but the thing with Cuba is on their same block you might see a bunch of houses that are run down also but it's perfectly safe and I cant say enough how nice everyone is especially to americans. Cubans all hang out in the front of their houses with the doors open and people literally just walk across the street to their neighbors uninvited and just to talk and socialize. It's pretty much like an open door policy with neighbors. Super friendly

To give you an example of Salaries the last family we stayed with was in Old Havana. They are both early 40's and both doctors. Their salaries are something like $100 a month each. They have 3 bedrooms in their house ( all with their own bathrooms ) which they rent now for $35 a night so they are making $105 a night total not including what they make if you eat breakfast or dinner there. I was joking around with them telling them now they will be Dr Airbnb's

These families literally just started on airbnb a few months ago and we were the first americans to stay with 3 of the families. They were so nice literally all of us were choked up when we left 2 of the families.

What you do see is people doing 2nd jobs etc. Our driver for 2 of the days in Havana was a dentist and he drives tourists on the side because he makes more money doing that than being a dentist.

Our private driver from Havana to Vinales is an engineer. Same thing. he makes more money driving tourists in his spare time than he does being an engineer

The 2 things that suck are the internet there and the credit card situation. To get internet you have to go buy a card which works for an hour only at wifi spots. So internet really is non existant in homes. You will literally see 500 Cubans in a park at night in a wifi spot all looking at their phones and internet. Also they don't take US credit cards there because of the embargo so you have to carry s sh!tload of money there and then convert it as you need. Luckily with airbnb you can book your stays ahead of time here and use your credit card so your housing is fully paid for

All in all it was one of our top 5 favorite vacations. Not so much for sightseeing but because we had such an awesome time with the local Cubans and other than some govt owned bars we know all the money we spent at restaurants and housing went directly to the locals

I'd recommend for anyone to go. I wouldn't even hesitate to go back in the next year if I saw a good airfare since jetblue and delta fly direct now from JFK

Great review Mike. I actually did see a segment of Anthony Bourdain where Cubans explained the new laws allowing people to own a business (with government approval of course). I'm glad things have eased up, but still concerned about human rights violations there.

Many Cubans have been waiting for 60 years for the Castro regime to collapse. Many Cuban-Americans haven't been back since they escaped with the clothes on their backs. Many have had close relatives die in that timeframe. While I am happy in part to see travel restrictions lifted, I have to side on the part of the vast majority of Cuban Americans that felt the US shouldn't do anything to help keep the Castro regime in power, which is what lifting the embargo will do.

I hear you. One of my clients was born there but moved here after the revolution. His grandparents owned the Cuban version of something similar to the old woolworths that used to be here. They had a lot of money and lost everything.

He isn't sure if he is going to go back but his daughter just went this year.

My view on this is that the embargo never worked ( I mean as far as regime change ) and to me money can empower people so I didn't have a problem going since most of the money was going to the locals.

I was actually surprised at how friendly everyone was there. Literally out of all the countries we have been to the Cubans were the 2nd friendliest we have ever met ( Ireland being the friendliest )

The Cubans we stayed with it was interesting. Like any country they disliked things about their govt but liked things about their govt. They are really well educated as education and healthcare are free there. The govt salaries they don't like but they all said things are a lot better than say 10 years ago with obviously a long way to go. But they are really friendly and they all want better relations with America. ( They love Obama ). One of the families had a really interesting outlook on it. They said and I'm paraphrasing ( with all the troubles in the middle east there is no reason why we shouldn't be friends being so close to each other and with friendship brings change ).

Quick story about how friendly they are. On new years we were in Old Havama and we had met some other americans while at a bar and were all hanging out and some Cubans invited us to their new years after party. We get the address and head there at like 1:30 am am there are about 200 Cubans partying on the rooftop with a dj,bartender and everything and here walks in 7 of us americans. You would have thought we had known all of them for years they were all so nice to us and happy to have us there.

Hopefully things keep changing for the better

 

[fun]

How will the Republican old power base communicate to Trump that his Presidency will be limited without a "Night of the Long Knives" and what will Bannon do to try and prevent it?

The most likely scenario is that Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham will take out a full page ad in the New York Times, but in code. In response the terribly scary Steve Bannon (BOO!) will rouse his KKK army and overthrow the government, declaring himself King of the Popes Steve the Fourth and after having Trump thrown off the island will appoint a new game show host as titular head of the new government: Wink Martindale. Wink's first act will be to build concentration camps in the desert near area 51 for transgendered Muslims, where they will kept under surveillance by black helicopters spewing out chem trails to control the weather. Best put your tin foil hat on now, I fear this is imminent. If you need me I'll be hiding under the couch.

 

[beast of the east]

I really hate this topic. I know that I can filter it out but it is easier for me to hit recent topics and with a lot of time to kill, I like reading everything, but prefer reading about lobster rolls, bets people make, and even where people are sending their kids to high school and college. I even prefer reading about Fun's view of politics in his game write ups because there is some humor and hot women to look at. I enjoy when JSJ, Beast of the East, Monte and others post articles about the university, business and education which can be civilly discussed.

I know that others enjoy posting about Donald and Hillary and at times I have been lured in but I wish we would enough games and sign enough recruits to keep people focused on what makes this website great, a distraction from the real world and it's angry arguments.

So carry on as I am just one person and the board is much bigger then me but as it is hard enough to have civility when debating Mussini and Ellison it is nearly impossible when debating Hillary and Donald.

Not a lobster roll but how about Lobster Ceviche and some grilled lobster tails I had in Cuba a couple of weeks ago


[attachment]20161230_1456311.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161230_1524201.jpg[/attachment]


[attachment]20161231_1529521.jpg[/attachment]

I hired an worked with a cuban immigrant who had come directly from cuba to work for us. One of my hesitations to visiting cuba is that she had said that the best of everything was reserved for tourists. Cubans were not allowed to ride in air conditioned cabs, not allowed to buy coconut (or any)ice cream on the streets, and food is in very short supply. The government rations food, giving cubans 15 days of food per month, and they have to find a way to stretch it and find or grow food. Things we take for granted, like supermarkets stocked to the hilt with food, do not exist there. So, while i can appreciate the food you show, id have a hard time enjoying it there knowing it is not available to Cubans.

I wonder if your first hand observations were different

It's different to a certain extent there now but your friend isn't too far off on a couple of things. I don't know about coconut but Cubans can definitely buy ice cream on the street because it was so hot while we were there we stopped at a sidewalk ice cream stand that locals had told us about because we saw them eating ice cream

They do have food ration cards with certain types of food that they get real cheap ( or I think in some cases for free ) you wont see big grocery stores like you do here

Cubans can ride in whatever cabs they want but cabs are expensive ( basically like NY prices ) because the cost of gas is expensive there and because of the embargo it's just like in the pictures you see that like half the cars are from the 50's. Most Cubans take the local busses which are air conditioned because they are really really inexpensive.

We got picked up from the airport in a looking brand new 1951 Chevy ( I think Deluxe was the model name ). Locals call them Frankenstein cars because they might look brand new or in really good condition on the outside but under the hood they will use whatever parts they can find to keep the car running.

They use 2 currencies. One mainly that tourists use and 1 that locals use to buy their goods.

Here is the biggest difference that has happened in the last few years which will change locals lives exponentially for the better. A few years ago I'm assuming this happened under Fidel's brother but the government started letting people open up restaurants in their own houses. Or in buildings. These are called Paladar's. The govt lets the people keep their earnings from the Paladar. So while the Cuban govt owns most of the regular restaurants there is s huge burgeoning industry of people opening up Paladar's. Paladar's are going to be a lot more expensive than Cuban Govt owned restaurants and they buy a lot of their food imported or on a black market type thing but all the money you spend is going to the restaurant owner and workers. We only ate at Paladar's the entire time there unless we ate in Cuban's homes with whom we were staying

As far as staying in Cuba the govt owns all the hotels or has joint partnerships with outside companies. BUT and I have to give Obama credit for this and this is going to change cuba forever for the better over the past few years the govt there has let people open up B&B's in their houses. They are called Casa Particulars. Now because of Obama you now have airbnb there to make it much easier for people especially americans. The govt lets the hosts keep all the money. So while a hotel might cost $400 a night and even then some hotels are infamous for overbooking and then you end up scrambling to find a place but with Airbnb we stayed with local families and were paying max $35 a night. Then they will make you huge breakfast for $5 if you want and dinner in their house for $8-$10. And the places we stayed in were fantastic. I cant say enough good things about the familes we stayed with ( we stayed with 3 different families over 9 days in Havana and 1 family in Vinales which is in western Cuba where the tobacco is grown for the cigars

The 1 thing is salaries are low for the govt. The first family we stayed with was mother,father and daughter all professors and the fiancée of the daughter engineer. They were definitely a little bit more wealthy I guess you can say ( there house was great and you can tell they take great pride in taking care of it ) but the thing with Cuba is on their same block you might see a bunch of houses that are run down also but it's perfectly safe and I cant say enough how nice everyone is especially to americans. Cubans all hang out in the front of their houses with the doors open and people literally just walk across the street to their neighbors uninvited and just to talk and socialize. It's pretty much like an open door policy with neighbors. Super friendly

To give you an example of Salaries the last family we stayed with was in Old Havana. They are both early 40's and both doctors. Their salaries are something like $100 a month each. They have 3 bedrooms in their house ( all with their own bathrooms ) which they rent now for $35 a night so they are making $105 a night total not including what they make if you eat breakfast or dinner there. I was joking around with them telling them now they will be Dr Airbnb's

These families literally just started on airbnb a few months ago and we were the first americans to stay with 3 of the families. They were so nice literally all of us were choked up when we left 2 of the families.

What you do see is people doing 2nd jobs etc. Our driver for 2 of the days in Havana was a dentist and he drives tourists on the side because he makes more money doing that than being a dentist.

Our private driver from Havana to Vinales is an engineer. Same thing. he makes more money driving tourists in his spare time than he does being an engineer

The 2 things that suck are the internet there and the credit card situation. To get internet you have to go buy a card which works for an hour only at wifi spots. So internet really is non existant in homes. You will literally see 500 Cubans in a park at night in a wifi spot all looking at their phones and internet. Also they don't take US credit cards there because of the embargo so you have to carry s sh!tload of money there and then convert it as you need. Luckily with airbnb you can book your stays ahead of time here and use your credit card so your housing is fully paid for

All in all it was one of our top 5 favorite vacations. Not so much for sightseeing but because we had such an awesome time with the local Cubans and other than some govt owned bars we know all the money we spent at restaurants and housing went directly to the locals

I'd recommend for anyone to go. I wouldn't even hesitate to go back in the next year if I saw a good airfare since jetblue and delta fly direct now from JFK

Great review Mike. I actually did see a segment of Anthony Bourdain where Cubans explained the new laws allowing people to own a business (with government approval of course). I'm glad things have eased up, but still concerned about human rights violations there.

Many Cubans have been waiting for 60 years for the Castro regime to collapse. Many Cuban-Americans haven't been back since they escaped with the clothes on their backs. Many have had close relatives die in that timeframe. While I am happy in part to see travel restrictions lifted, I have to side on the part of the vast majority of Cuban Americans that felt the US shouldn't do anything to help keep the Castro regime in power, which is what lifting the embargo will do.

I hear you. One of my clients was born there but moved here after the revolution. His grandparents owned the Cuban version of something similar to the old woolworths that used to be here. They had a lot of money and lost everything.

He isn't sure if he is going to go back but his daughter just went this year.

My view on this is that the embargo never worked ( I mean as far as regime change ) and to me money can empower people so I didn't have a problem going since most of the money was going to the locals.

I was actually surprised at how friendly everyone was there. Literally out of all the countries we have been to the Cubans were the 2nd friendliest we have ever met ( Ireland being the friendliest )

The Cubans we stayed with it was interesting. Like any country they disliked things about their govt but liked things about their govt. They are really well educated as education and healthcare are free there. The govt salaries they don't like but they all said things are a lot better than say 10 years ago with obviously a long way to go. But they are really friendly and they all want better relations with America. ( They love Obama ). One of the families had a really interesting outlook on it. They said and I'm paraphrasing ( with all the troubles in the middle east there is no reason why we shouldn't be friends being so close to each other and with friendship brings change ).

Quick story about how friendly they are. On new years we were in Old Havama and we had met some other americans while at a bar and were all hanging out and some Cubans invited us to their new years after party. We get the address and head there at like 1:30 am am there are about 200 Cubans partying on the rooftop with a dj,bartender and everything and here walks in 7 of us americans. You would have thought we had known all of them for years they were all so nice to us and happy to have us there.

Hopefully things keep changing for the better

Great input. I hear both sides. I have some really good Cuban friends. They are a great people.

 

[L J S A]

MJ, if you haven't seen it, try to find the Conan in Cuba episode. I was dying watching it.

 

[mjmaherjr]

MJ, if you haven't seen it, try to find the Conan in Cuba episode. I was dying watching it.

Great. I'll check it out this weekend. Thx !

 

[JohnnyFan]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

 

[mjmaherjr]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

 

[JohnnyFan]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

 

[mjmaherjr]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

I agree they all need to be held accountable and I dont give anyone a free pass for the long term. To me actions speak louder than words so of course I will be watching what happens with Russia. But overall I think our foreign policy sucks and I'm not an isolationist. But I guess over the years through our traveling and speaking to a lot of people from other countries it always fascinates me what they think of the US and especially foreign policy. Virtually everyone hated GWB and our invasion of Iraq. Virtually none of them had a problem with what we did in Afghanistan. Drone strikes in Pakistan reaction is mixed. But lets be honest. We prop up other corrupt governments as long as it suits our business interests and then we try and claim some moral highground with others. That's why I think out govt has been run by a bunch of phonies ( both sides of the aisle )

 

[beast of the east]

On youtube check out "senator Obama on illegal immigration in 2005"

Then check out "Bill Clinton on illegal immigration 1995".


My gosh they sound like ummmm

 

[JohnnyFan]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

I agree they all need to be held accountable and I dont give anyone a free pass for the long term. To me actions speak louder than words so of course I will be watching what happens with Russia. But overall I think our foreign policy sucks and I'm not an isolationist. But I guess over the years through our traveling and speaking to a lot of people from other countries it always fascinates me what they think of the US and especially foreign policy. Virtually everyone hated GWB and our invasion of Iraq. Virtually none of them had a problem with what we did in Afghanistan. Drone strikes in Pakistan reaction is mixed. But lets be honest. We prop up other corrupt governments as long as it suits our business interests and then we try and claim some moral highground with others. That's why I think out govt has been run by a bunch of phonies ( both sides of the aisle )

I agree with your post and appreciate the firsthand insight on foreign perceptions. I just believe Putin's track record makes him exceptionally unique.

 

[beast of the east]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

I agree they all need to be held accountable and I dont give anyone a free pass for the long term. To me actions speak louder than words so of course I will be watching what happens with Russia. But overall I think our foreign policy sucks and I'm not an isolationist. But I guess over the years through our traveling and speaking to a lot of people from other countries it always fascinates me what they think of the US and especially foreign policy. Virtually everyone hated GWB and our invasion of Iraq. Virtually none of them had a problem with what we did in Afghanistan. Drone strikes in Pakistan reaction is mixed. But lets be honest. We prop up other corrupt governments as long as it suits our business interests and then we try and claim some moral highground with others. That's why I think out govt has been run by a bunch of phonies ( both sides of the aisle )

I agree with your post and appreciate the firsthand insight on foreign perceptions. I just believe Putin's track record makes him exceptionally unique.

sll I know is that Trump's words are being picked apart here, yet liberals are mum when it was Romney who correctly identified Russia as our biggest geopolitical threat during the 2011 debates. Obama made fun of the assertion with the famous "hello the 1970s are xalling and want their foreign policy back."

You ignore that Obama removed nuclear arms from eastern europe, getting nothing in return and spoke into a hot muc to "Tell Vladimir I can do mre after the ekection"

 

[JohnnyFan]

On youtube check out "senator Obama on illegal immigration in 2005"

Then check out "Bill Clinton on illegal immigration 1995".


My gosh they sound like ummmm

I absolutely agree with the similarities and I support strict immigrant vetting. The difference is Clinton and Obama's proposals were not surrounded by offensive, racists and bigoted rhetoric. This is the price Trump pays for his often beloved unfiltered speech.

Trump's ban was rushed, void of collaboration and poorly rolled out. Anyone frustrated with the rallies must to assign some blame to the Trump administration's execution.

Also, he chose to surround himself with multiple individuals who carry (fair or unfair) racist reputations (i.e. Sessions, Bannon, Flynn). This only served to further divide the country and increase the level of distrust. That's a fact.

 

[mjmaherjr]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

I agree they all need to be held accountable and I dont give anyone a free pass for the long term. To me actions speak louder than words so of course I will be watching what happens with Russia. But overall I think our foreign policy sucks and I'm not an isolationist. But I guess over the years through our traveling and speaking to a lot of people from other countries it always fascinates me what they think of the US and especially foreign policy. Virtually everyone hated GWB and our invasion of Iraq. Virtually none of them had a problem with what we did in Afghanistan. Drone strikes in Pakistan reaction is mixed. But lets be honest. We prop up other corrupt governments as long as it suits our business interests and then we try and claim some moral highground with others. That's why I think out govt has been run by a bunch of phonies ( both sides of the aisle )

I agree with your post and appreciate the firsthand insight on foreign perceptions. I just believe Putin's track record makes him exceptionally unique.

I hear you and I wouldnt trust him(Putin) as far as I could throw him. I'll see what Trump does. Heck who would have thought the cold war would have ended years ago. Maybe it happens again. trust is earned not given but you have to start somewhere and if they screw up you better have a big stick to whack them with

 

[JohnnyFan]

Just curious. This question if for Trump voters/supports. Did you see Trump's comments on Putin in his interview with Bill O'Reilly?

I anticipate that the staunches of supporters will rationalize his comments in some way (although, I am curious to learn how). But, is this of any concern to the Pro-Trump contingent?

https://youtu.be/kHNjH2LZcfA][/url]

For me it's to early to judge him but what was is that caused you so much concern in the interview clip ? The part where he said the US has killed also ? It's true. Just look at the last 2 presidents. We went to war with Iraq and they didnt even have anything to do with 9/11. Is it safe to assume that innocent people have been killed by Obama also in the war on terror from drone strikes etc > And for the record I have no problem with drone strikes and I even give credit to Obama for increasing them.

But let's be honest. Our country has blood on it's hands also. I'm not saying anywhere near to the extent of Russia but I don't think every move our country makes is so benevolent ( that goes for both parties ).

I'm willing to give Trump time with this before I rush to come to any conclusions.

Of course we are not innocent. But, drawing comparison to Putin is extreme to say the least. Trump is completely on an island here. It will be hard or impossible to find even one republican congressmen willing say they "respect" Putin. For me, and many, this is an extraordinarily strange approach to Russia. It's amazing that Putin is the only leader (enemy or ally) that has been beyond reproach for Trump. It is really difficult not to assume a hidden agenda here (many rational scenarios have been suggested).

I really think that Trump supporters who are willing to acknowledge that he is not perfect, should pay attention to his dealings with Putin/Russia. Every president, even those you support, need to be held accountable.

I agree they all need to be held accountable and I dont give anyone a free pass for the long term. To me actions speak louder than words so of course I will be watching what happens with Russia. But overall I think our foreign policy sucks and I'm not an isolationist. But I guess over the years through our traveling and speaking to a lot of people from other countries it always fascinates me what they think of the US and especially foreign policy. Virtually everyone hated GWB and our invasion of Iraq. Virtually none of them had a problem with what we did in Afghanistan. Drone strikes in Pakistan reaction is mixed. But lets be honest. We prop up other corrupt governments as long as it suits our business interests and then we try and claim some moral highground with others. That's why I think out govt has been run by a bunch of phonies ( both sides of the aisle )

I agree with your post and appreciate the firsthand insight on foreign perceptions. I just believe Putin's track record makes him exceptionally unique.

sll I know is that Trump's words are being picked apart here, yet liberals are mum when it was Romney who correctly identified Russia as our biggest geopolitical threat during the 2011 debates. Obama made fun of the assertion with the famous "hello the 1970s are xalling and want their foreign policy back."

You ignore that Obama removed nuclear arms from eastern europe, getting nothing in return and spoke into a hot muc to "Tell Vladimir I can do mre after the ekection"

I hope Trump will soon be judged on his policy. I am not sure why the media, Obama and Hillary are the standard retort for each criticism. But it's exactly what Trump wants.

 

[bobo]

Trump should just televise this Bill Clinton State of the Union speech and then simply state "I'm Donald Trump and I approve this message”;!

 

[ErickTheRed]

And the last eight years of blaming Bush for everything was fine.