What's At the End of the Rainbow?

A Moravian church! How about that! After my last post, someone sent me this photo of the Emmaus Moravian Church in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Not only is this a beautiful setting but there's a little history for those interested (see link in previous sentence). Just thought it was a wonderful photo and wanted to share.

What's At the End of the Rainbow?

A Moravian church! How about that! After my last post, someone sent me this photo of the Emmaus Moravian Church in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Not only is this a beautiful setting but there's a little history for those interested (see link in previous sentence). Just thought it was a wonderful photo and wanted to share.

Orbitz Wants to Open Cuba for American Tourists--Plus, Free Coupons!

This is an interesting development, a sure sign that our 50-year ban on travel or trade with Cuba is coming to an end. Internet travel company Orbitz has stepped into the treacherous waters of politics by publicly calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba--even setting up a separate web site at www.opencuba.org.

At OpenCuba.org, you can sign a petition supporting an end to the embargo, as well as find out more about the island. And once you sign, they'll send you a free coupon worth $100 to use on Orbitz.com once the ban on travel to Cuba is lifted.

Very interesting. This shows Orbitz has balls, but I'm cynical enough to question its motives. Orbitz stands to make lots of money if this ban is lifted--and why hasn't the company spoken out before? I'd prefer it if companies would speak out because it's the RIGHT thing to do and not just to make money. Silly me.

Hordes of American tourists descending on Cuba could be good or bad, and only time will tell. I also fear that other U.S. companies that once had a pre-embargo presence in Cuba will resurrect their attempts to regain property which was previously seized by the Cuban government.

Here's a more in-depth article on the development.

Orbitz Wants to Open Cuba for American Tourists--Plus, Free Coupons!

This is an interesting development, a sure sign that our 50-year ban on travel or trade with Cuba is coming to an end. Internet travel company Orbitz has stepped into the treacherous waters of politics by publicly calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba--even setting up a separate web site at www.opencuba.org.

At OpenCuba.org, you can sign a petition supporting an end to the embargo, as well as find out more about the island. And once you sign, they'll send you a free coupon worth $100 to use on Orbitz.com once the ban on travel to Cuba is lifted.

Very interesting. This shows Orbitz has balls, but I'm cynical enough to question its motives. Orbitz stands to make lots of money if this ban is lifted--and why hasn't the company spoken out before? I'd prefer it if companies would speak out because it's the RIGHT thing to do and not just to make money. Silly me.

Hordes of American tourists descending on Cuba could be good or bad, and only time will tell. I also fear that other U.S. companies that once had a pre-embargo presence in Cuba will resurrect their attempts to regain property which was previously seized by the Cuban government.

Here's a more in-depth article on the development.

Latin American Leaders and Obama Chillaxin' in Trinidad

Everything's more laid back in the Caribbean, mon! Which is probably a good thing. Would love to be there right now myself.

Obama really impressed Latin American leaders at the recent Summit of the Americas, held in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. What caught my eye in particular was the title of a book that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (who once called George W. Bush "the devil"--ha!) gave to Obama. Titled "The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent" by Eduardo Galeano, it was on my required reading list for a course I took for my master's degree!

Who knows if Obama will actually read it, but I would like to know what he thinks. Personally, I didn't care for it. Yes, I did learn a lot, but I thought the author was way too skewed toward an extreme socialist/communist viewpoint. It was difficult to figure out what was true and what was his opinion. Really no different than reading something from a more capitalist approach.

• But Chavez certainly seemed to have a crush on Obama, and they kept shaking hands. Easy fellas! Chavez said he was even going to restore Venezuela's ambassador to the U.S. ("my people will call your people!"). Aw, that's nice.

• Evo Morales of Bolivia wasn't having any of the love-in, however. Sounds like he needs to consult with those shamans who "endorsed" Obama during the election.

• Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega was polite but, apparently, still bitter over what former U.S. prez Ronald Reagan did to him.

• And Raul Castro is obviously feelin' the love from Obama, as the two have made tentative baby steps toward normalizing U.S./Cuban relations.
  

How can anyone stay angry in Trinidad, a place that obviously knows how to party!?

Latin American Leaders and Obama Chillaxin' in Trinidad

Everything's more laid back in the Caribbean, mon! Which is probably a good thing. Would love to be there right now myself.

Obama really impressed Latin American leaders at the recent Summit of the Americas, held in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. What caught my eye in particular was the title of a book that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (who once called George W. Bush "the devil"--ha!) gave to Obama. Titled "The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent" by Eduardo Galeano, it was on my required reading list for a course I took for my master's degree!

Who knows if Obama will actually read it, but I would like to know what he thinks. Personally, I didn't care for it. Yes, I did learn a lot, but I thought the author was way too skewed toward an extreme socialist/communist viewpoint. It was difficult to figure out what was true and what was his opinion. Really no different than reading something from a more capitalist approach.

• But Chavez certainly seemed to have a crush on Obama, and they kept shaking hands. Easy fellas! Chavez said he was even going to restore Venezuela's ambassador to the U.S. ("my people will call your people!"). Aw, that's nice.

• Evo Morales of Bolivia wasn't having any of the love-in, however. Sounds like he needs to consult with those shamans who "endorsed" Obama during the election.

• Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega was polite but, apparently, still bitter over what former U.S. prez Ronald Reagan did to him.

• And Raul Castro is obviously feelin' the love from Obama, as the two have made tentative baby steps toward normalizing U.S./Cuban relations.
  

How can anyone stay angry in Trinidad, a place that obviously knows how to party!?

Obama to Help Reunite and Strengthen Cuban Families By Easing U.S. Restrictions

This may be old news, but I was excited to read it. After about 50 years of restrictions that have done nothing to overthrow Cuba's Communist government, Obama has indicated he will reverse these measures and actually help families instead of adhering to some cold, dead policy.

The article says Obama will do away with restrictions on when and how often Cuban-Americans can return to the island to visit relatives as well as restrictions on sending cash to relatives. Otherwise, Obama appears to support the ridiculous U.S. embargo against Cuba, but at least this is a move in the right direction.

I support this change because it only hurts average Cuban families and does nothing to hurt the Castro government. Cuba is not a democracy where the population can put pressure on its leaders to do anything. They merely suffer under threat of imprisonment, violence or intimidation.

I have a friend whose adult daughter and grandchild still live in Cuba. She can't go back to visit nor can she respond to her daughter's letters with any financial assistance. My friend and her husband have done fairly well since coming to the U.S., but she still wishes to do what any mother would do and help her daughter and grandchild who remain in Cuba.

The U.S. needs to stop giving the Castros any ammunition for their assault on the Cuban people, and I hope Obama will do even more when he becomes president.

Obama to Help Reunite and Strengthen Cuban Families By Easing U.S. Restrictions

This may be old news, but I was excited to read it. After about 50 years of restrictions that have done nothing to overthrow Cuba's Communist government, Obama has indicated he will reverse these measures and actually help families instead of adhering to some cold, dead policy.

The article says Obama will do away with restrictions on when and how often Cuban-Americans can return to the island to visit relatives as well as restrictions on sending cash to relatives. Otherwise, Obama appears to support the ridiculous U.S. embargo against Cuba, but at least this is a move in the right direction.

I support this change because it only hurts average Cuban families and does nothing to hurt the Castro government. Cuba is not a democracy where the population can put pressure on its leaders to do anything. They merely suffer under threat of imprisonment, violence or intimidation.

I have a friend whose adult daughter and grandchild still live in Cuba. She can't go back to visit nor can she respond to her daughter's letters with any financial assistance. My friend and her husband have done fairly well since coming to the U.S., but she still wishes to do what any mother would do and help her daughter and grandchild who remain in Cuba.

The U.S. needs to stop giving the Castros any ammunition for their assault on the Cuban people, and I hope Obama will do even more when he becomes president.

Puerto Rican Governor Supports Nondiscrimination While California Court to Review Prop 8

No, this fine piece of manhood is not the governor but he is Puerto Rican actor Amaury Nolasco, also known as Fernando in "Prison Break." Thought I would honor the island and its news with a nibbly pic of Amaury.

So the island's governor has extended certain rights to gays and lesbians--however, a fight is expected with incoming governor-elect Luis Fortuno. 'Natch, there's also pending legislation to define marriage on the island as only between a man and woman. Watch this to get dragged into our larger cultural war.

Meanwhile, the California Supreme Court will hear 3 lawsuits brought by same-sex couples as a result of Prop 8. And opponents are already threatening the judges with a recall.

This ain't over yet! I also hope to post soon on other activities and initiatives that have sprung up as a result of the reinvigorated rights movement. Cheers.

Puerto Rican Governor Supports Nondiscrimination While California Court to Review Prop 8

No, this fine piece of manhood is not the governor but he is Puerto Rican actor Amaury Nolasco, also known as Fernando in "Prison Break." Thought I would honor the island and its news with a nibbly pic of Amaury.

So the island's governor has extended certain rights to gays and lesbians--however, a fight is expected with incoming governor-elect Luis Fortuno. 'Natch, there's also pending legislation to define marriage on the island as only between a man and woman. Watch this to get dragged into our larger cultural war.

Meanwhile, the California Supreme Court will hear 3 lawsuits brought by same-sex couples as a result of Prop 8. And opponents are already threatening the judges with a recall.

This ain't over yet! I also hope to post soon on other activities and initiatives that have sprung up as a result of the reinvigorated rights movement. Cheers.