Comments on: Stogie News: Schwarzenegger Defies Cuban Embargo

By: Stogie Guys Friday Sampler LXVIII

Stogie Guys Friday Sampler LXVIII — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:53:51 +0000

[...] 4) While presidential frontrunners Hillary and Rudy both support the failed Cuban embargo, constitutionalist candidate Ron Paul is coming down hard on the 45-year-old policy. In a recent column, Dr. Paul wrote that “it is Americans who live in a free country, and as free people we should choose who to buy from or where to travel, not our government.” [...]

By: John

John — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:48:54 +0000

I too would like to see Cuban cigars available everywhere. But I also think it is good to keep in mind why this embargo when into effect anyway. Castro allowed nuke missiles to be installed 90 miles off our coast. In today's current world of tin dictators having nuke missiles that only go 90 miles it's good to have a long memory. I know today's politics have made the embargo something else. But until Castro is gone we do not deal with him or his island. When another government is in place, however they govern, then we open up trade. Just MHO.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:24:51 +0000

The President:

I think you're getting a bit off topic here. Besides, I don't think many readers will buy into your flawed reasoning that the government should decide what is and what is not important to export or import.

Anyone with a basic understanding of economics will tell you that an unrestricted, free market will make those decisions many times better than Washington bureaucrats.

Cuban cigars may be a luxury, but there is a substantial demand for them — whether the government likes it or not.

By: The President

The President — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:32:33 +0000

Archie, there is a difference between luxury and necessity. Importing and exporting for the benefit of our country must reign supreme. Though the demand for oil is making those "other" nations filthy rich, it is still a necessity for our country today.

By: The President

The President — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:25:10 +0000

The Government will do what it needs to do to reach and maintain global dominance. Though in today's world it seems increasingly obvious we are losing this battle. It may seem we have been a superpower for long enough, but then look at how long the Persian Empire remained on top. Anyway, the Gov't also seemingly has somewhat of a heart considering the amount of produce/food being traded/given to Cuba. Cigars are a luxury. In the USA, the main reason Cuban cigars hold such a high status is as the Brian (above) stated: Cuban cigars would not be what they are today unless there was an embargo (in so many words). One can argue the true quality of Cuban cigars lives up to its status, though in the end, if buying a Cuban cigar was as easy as going up to you local tobaccionist, then the aura and luxury to actually sit down and enjoy them would be lost.

By: Archie

Archie — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:20:34 +0000

While I can see where you're coming from, Brian, and I agree with 90 percent of what you have to say, your endorsement of the embargo still doesn't address Patrick A's point that the U.S. has no problem trading with other deplorable nations.

Are we to completely shut down trade with any country that doesn't embrace democracy and/or human rights?

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:50:12 +0000

@John- You can bet Bill didn't inhale!

For some reason this post reminds me of the story of JFK sending an agent/secret service guy to pick up some boxes of Cubans before the embargo went into affect…

I've been know to smoke a Cuban, oh say, every chance I get, but I also support the embargo. No matter how many fat documentary makers go there and say otherwise, the Castro regime is a crime against humanity. I don't think any reasonable person expects the embargo to eliminate all trade with Cuba, just greatly retard it. And in that respect it works. And if you can pick up a few sticks here and there, enjoy. (Face it, Cuban cigars wouldn't be nearly as fun if they weren't banned!)

By: John

John — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:45:18 +0000

No way that's ever been prosecuted, and no way it will be now. How many rich corporate and business executives with deep pockets and political affiliations, who essentially own our governmental representatives, do you think enjoy Cuban cigars on their junkets around the world, and likely right here in the U.S. for that matter? No way the administration opens that can of worms with its biggest supporters. You think Bill Clinton never smoked a Cuban?

By: furious

furious — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:16:31 +0000

The Cuban embargo is a cold war anachronism and should go the way of the Iron Curtain.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:24:45 +0000

That last sentence in the post is a really good point. I've never liked the Cuban embargo, but it always seemed reasonable to me to not support Castro's government. I mean, when you get right down to it, the entire island is owned by his regime.

But when you look at the other countries we trade with, many of them are a lot worse. The policy doesn't make sense.