Usa Forum - U.S.: Democracy could end embargo

PL

8/24/2006 5:35:00 PM

Posted on Thu, Aug. 24, 2006

U.S.: Democracy could end embargo

Washington offered Cuba a chance to lift the economic embargo -- but
only if it moves toward democracy.
BY LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com

WASHINGTON - Just days after Cuba's acting president, RaÃºl Castro, gave
a blistering attack on the United States but at the same time hinted
he's willing to negotiate, the State Department offered a response: Free
your prisoners and elect your leaders. Only then will we lift the trade
embargo.

Assistant Secretary of State Tom Shannon held a news conference about
U.S. Cuba policy Wednesday for the foreign press, in which he reiterated
Washington's terms for lifting the United States' decades-old trade
embargo against Cuba.

Shannon said the administration would work with Congress to lift the
embargo ''and begin a deeper engagement with the Cuban state'' if the
government frees its more than 300 political prisoners, respects human
rights, allows independent political parties and creates ``a pathway
towards elections.''

They are the same terms Cuba has rejected for years.

''From our point of view, the offer's still on the table,'' Shannon
said. ``And we believe that if the Cuban government were to begin a
political opening and a transition to democracy, we could be in a
position, following the offer made in 2002, to begin to look at ways to
deepen our own relationship with Cuba.''

U.N. VOTES

Cuba's communist government says the U.S. trade embargo costs the island
nation nearly $1.8 billion a year. Cuba raises the issue at every
international forum, boasting that the U.N. General Asssembly has
resoundly voted against the embargo 14 years straight.

RaÃºl Castro suggested in an interview in Friday's Communist Party daily
Granma that he is willing to talk. But he blasted Bush administration
policy as an attempt to intervene in Cuba.

'From over there, as if they were the rulers of the planet, they are
saying that there must be a transition to a social regime of their
liking and that they `would take note of those who oppose that,' '' RaÃºl
Castro said.

`FIDEL LITE'

His Granma interview was dismissed by the State Department last week as
the words of ''Fidel Lite'' and Shannon Wednesday showed little interest
in engaging the temporary Cuban leader.

Although the 2002 offer was rejected at the time by Cuba, Shannon has
twice brought up the proposal since Cuban President Fidel Castro
temporarily turned over power to his younger brother.

RaÃºl Castro said last week Cuba has ''always been disposed to normalize
relations,'' but that it would be possible ``only when the United States
decides to negotiate with seriousness and is willing to treat us with a
spirit of equality, reciprocity and the fullest mutual respect.''

CHANGE FROM WITHIN

Shannon repeated the administration's belief that change must come from
within the island, but he suggested the administration has yet to be
encouraged by what it's hearing.

''Political openings and democratizations can take a variety of forms,
and we'd be very interested in hearing from the Cubans themselves about
how they would . . . envision that happening, if they envision it at
all,'' Shannon said. ``The initial comments that we have received don't
seem to indicate a whole lot of interest, but we're listening.''

Acknowledging the Cuban government remains hard to read, Shannon said
the U.S. believes the country is undergoing a ''slow-motion transfer of
power'' and that the elder Castro is unlikely to return to full speed.

Miami Herald staff writer Frances Robles contributed to this report from
Miami.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/fidel_castro/15...

26 Answers

MrMarco

4/26/2011 2:15:00 PM

Howdy,

Last I saw on Clay's site the indexes for repairs are all gone as if
none of them ever existed. It doesn't look like they are coming back.

Suerte,
MrMarco

On Apr 26, 9:40 am, bayoubilly1970 <bayoubill...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 26, 9:33 am, "Eric A." <eavedes...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Those interested in a new online repair guide please contact me.
>
> > After looking into the costs associated with hosting a site like this
> > I've come to the conclusion that it would be silly for US not to do
> > this.
>
> > First off I'd like to make a statement. I will NEVER and I mean NEVER
> > hold this information hostage! What I mean by this is if I ever decide
> > to get out of the hobby, tired of updating, etc. I will pass the torch
> > to someone else. I won't ask for donations but would do an annual
> > reminder e-mail similar to what Boag does for the IPDB. Basically I'd
> > be asking to give back to the organization of your choice. Hmmm maybe
> > even do a Paypal donate button on the home page for various
> > organizations. IPDB, PPM, PHOF, etc....
>
> > Now, I have yet to contact IPDB so they might be willing to handle
> > this hosting service so me being the gatekeeper might be a moot point.
>
> > I'd like to have people contribute with their own areas of expertise.
> > For example, if you have experiance in Gottlieb System 1 by all means
> > tackle that one. System 9-11? Then take that on! I think you all know
> > what I mean.
>
> > Anyways, I'll be open to suggestions and input on all counts. I'm
> > going to try my hand at HTML but not going to go out and spend 500
> > bucks on a first rate program. I have access to some free web building
> > software and if you can give suggestions I'd really appreciate it.
>
> > If there are any manual writers out there I'd appreciate the help you
> > can provide as well!
>
> > Hope this gets people as excited as I am!
>
> Unless I missed the posting within all the fudge, I didn't see Clay
> post anywhere that the repair guides were not coming back in any
> form. It's only been a few days, let him figure out what he needs/
> wants to do and go from there instead of 'reinventing the wheel'...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Kerry Imming

4/26/2011 2:49:00 PM

On Apr 26, 8:55 am, "Eric A." <eavedes...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> I just don't want to ever have the risk of this happening again. So
> even if his come up I'm still going forward.
>

For those following along, the new guides have removed the word "free"
and any indication that they are/were a collaborative effort.

I for one fully appreciate the amount of work that went into
organizing the repair guides. I also appreciate your offer to host a
site, but I would really like to give http://www.p... a chance
before we go that direction. For the record, the HOSTING costs were
never an issue with the repair guides as Mark has confirmed that he
has and continues to provide free hosting.

I try to help with repair problems here on RGP and there were a few
critical sections that I often referred people to. We have rebuilt
most of that information on http://www.p... , so I'll refer
them there from now on.

The monarchy that was pinrepair was the most efficient, but stifled
alternate opinions. It also resulted in the situation we're in now.
I'm willing to invest effort in alternatives before we go back there.
Oh... and we WILL go back there. Those who study history are
condemned to knowing that we are repeating it :-)

- Kerry

Eric A.

4/26/2011 2:49:00 PM

On Apr 26, 10:14 am, MrMarco <mdefra...@mindspring.com> wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> Last I saw on Clay's site the indexes for repairs are all gone as if
> none of them ever existed. It doesn't look like they are coming back.
>
> Suerte,
> MrMarco
>
> On Apr 26, 9:40 am, bayoubilly1970 <bayoubill...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Apr 26, 9:33 am, "Eric A." <eavedes...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > > Those interested in a new online repair guide please contact me.
>
> > > After looking into the costs associated with hosting a site like this
> > > I've come to the conclusion that it would be silly for US not to do
> > > this.
>
> > > First off I'd like to make a statement. I will NEVER and I mean NEVER
> > > hold this information hostage! What I mean by this is if I ever decide
> > > to get out of the hobby, tired of updating, etc. I will pass the torch
> > > to someone else. I won't ask for donations but would do an annual
> > > reminder e-mail similar to what Boag does for the IPDB. Basically I'd
> > > be asking to give back to the organization of your choice. Hmmm maybe
> > > even do a Paypal donate button on the home page for various
> > > organizations. IPDB, PPM, PHOF, etc....
>
> > > Now, I have yet to contact IPDB so they might be willing to handle
> > > this hosting service so me being the gatekeeper might be a moot point.
>
> > > I'd like to have people contribute with their own areas of expertise.
> > > For example, if you have experiance in Gottlieb System 1 by all means
> > > tackle that one. System 9-11? Then take that on! I think you all know
> > > what I mean.
>
> > > Anyways, I'll be open to suggestions and input on all counts. I'm
> > > going to try my hand at HTML but not going to go out and spend 500
> > > bucks on a first rate program. I have access to some free web building
> > > software and if you can give suggestions I'd really appreciate it.
>
> > > If there are any manual writers out there I'd appreciate the help you
> > > can provide as well!
>
> > > Hope this gets people as excited as I am!
>
> > Unless I missed the posting within all the fudge, I didn't see Clay
> > post anywhere that the repair guides were not coming back in any
> > form. It's only been a few days, let him figure out what he needs/
> > wants to do and go from there instead of 'reinventing the wheel'...- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yep saw that as well. This was the final decision maker for me to go
forward.

I sent an e-mail to Mario and someone else has contacted me as well.
I'm going to be working with the masses. No sense in starting my own
project. We can make it better working together.

monster kong

4/26/2011 3:37:00 PM

eric
i also have been keeping notes and repair logs for many years, with
much info not on clays sight.
same with video games.
ill contribute....as long as its never brought to a "pay" measure as
well.
has to be free for all.

> I sent an e-mail to Mario and someone else has contacted me as well.
> I'm going to be working with the masses. No sense in starting my own
> project. We can make it better working together.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Ray

4/26/2011 3:48:00 PM

Koz Pinlicious

4/26/2011 3:54:00 PM

On Apr 26, 11:36 am, gangstarr <who_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> eric
> i also have been keeping notes and repair logs for many years, with
> much info not on clays sight.
> same with video games.
> ill contribute....as long as its never brought to a "pay" measure as
> well.
> has to be free for all.
>
> > I sent an e-mail to Mario and someone else has contacted me as well.
> > I'm going to be working with the masses. No sense in starting my own
> > project. We can make it better working together.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -

Thanks Andy and everyone involved. Andy and Eric are two of the
smartest guys I know when it comes to repairs and Michigan has a great
source of *very* knowledgeable people. Maybe we should include a list
of known techs for each state that if people are having problems
working with the new guides that they can contact for additional help
or even maybe pay for house calls if they are in over their heads?

I think having *multiple sites* where all this info can be accessed is
for the better, like at least 3.

IPDB, Pinwiki, the one Eric A. is doing, and even others is a GREAT
thing.

The information that *many* have contributed to should not be
controlled by just one person or one group ever and should always be
public and free.

I am willing to donate as I have told Mario and am now telling others,
so please keep everyone in the loop as far as what you all have
planned.

Thank you, Koz :-)

ldnayman

4/26/2011 3:54:00 PM

I would like to contribute my vast EM repair knowledge, but ONLY if
it's a for-profit project in which all the participants will be paid.
We can sell access to RGP noobs for $30 a year.

Anybody want to start this project up for me?

Lloyd Olson

4/26/2011 4:11:00 PM

That would be a huge NO. Has to be your own work. Don't go ripping off
others. And make an even bigger mess. LTG :)

"Ray" <rutgersray1@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b34f8f21-b526-43ad-a2ce-f41acf0c5c72@j25g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...

Hey Guys, I have printed many of Clay's guides (yes hundreds of pages)
in 3 ring binders. Would it help your site to scan and upload those
to pinwiki? Thanks

Loki9

4/26/2011 4:59:00 PM

On Apr 26, 11:48 am, Ray <rutgersr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 26, 11:36 am, gangstarr <who_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > eric
> > i also have been keeping notes and repair logs for many years, with
> > much info not on clays sight.
> > same with video games.
> > ill contribute....as long as its never brought to a "pay" measure as
> > well.
> > has to be free for all.
>
> > > I sent an e-mail to Mario and someone else has contacted me as well.
> > > I'm going to be working with the masses. No sense in starting my own
> > > project. We can make it better working together.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Hey Guys, I have printed many of Clay's guides (yes hundreds of pages)
> in 3 ring binders. Would it help your site to scan and upload those
> to pinwiki? Thanks

I'm sure that more than a few of us downloaded the entire pinrepair
website. I know I did. Either way, we can't use that info directly
on a new site.

miracleman

4/26/2011 5:14:00 PM

But if CLAY 'rewrote' other people's info to put on his site, can
other people 're-write' his in their own words on these new sites?

On Apr 26, 12:11 pm, "Lloyd Olson" <l...@ssbilliards.com> wrote:
> That would be a huge NO. Has to be your own work. Don't go ripping off
> others. And make an even bigger mess. LTG :)
>
> "Ray" <rutgersr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:b34f8f21-b526-43ad-a2ce-f41acf0c5c72@j25g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
>
> Hey Guys, I have printed many of Clay's guides (yes hundreds of pages)
> in 3 ring binders. Would it help your site to scan and upload those
> to pinwiki? Thanks

soc.culture.cuba

U.S.: Democracy could end embargo

PL