The president said “decades of U.S. isolation of Cuba have failed to accomplish our enduring objective of promoting the emergence of a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba. At times, longstanding U.S. policy towards Cuba has isolated the United States from regional and international partners, constrained our ability to influence outcomes throughout the Western Hemisphere, and impaired the use of the full range of tools available to the United States to promote positive change in Cuba.” He also said, “The policy changes [will] make it easier for Americans to provide business training for private Cuban businesses and small farmers and provide other support for the growth of Cuba’s nascent private sector.”
This photo of Obama shaking hands with Raul Castro in 2013 drove rightwingers wild. Obama’s moves to end the U.S. policy of isolating the Castro regime and normalize relations with Cuba will drive them even wilder. Cigar aficionados are dancing in the streets.
Coming at Hannukah time, the release of Alan Gross is something the Jewish community has also long sought. Mr. Gross had been charged with espionage for his efforts to help Cuban Jews.
For Rush Limbaugh this is less welcome. Now if he wants Cuban cigars, he will have to travel to Cuba to get them, support the Commies and only be allowed to bring back $100 worth of cigars!.