The Worst Cuba Embargo Story of 2014

[Mika]

Last edited Wed Dec 10, 2014, 08:00 PM - Edit history (2)

The Worst Cuba Embargo Story of 2014

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Senator Marco Rubio and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen are two of the most outspoken Cuba travel "hall monitors" in Congress. They argue for a total ban on travel, as Senator Rubio likes to say "because it provides money to a cruel, repressive, and murderous regime." Or, as Rep. Ros-Lehtinen puts it, the restrictions on travel to Cuba are "commonsense measures meant to prevent U.S. dollars from supporting a murderous regime that opposes U.S. security interests at every turn and which ruthlessly suppresses the most basic liberties of speech, assembly and belief."

That's pretty clear. At least it seemed that way until the Tampa Bay Times dropped this bombshell a few months back:

"Top aides to Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, two of the most vehement anti-Communist voices in Washington, took an all-expenses paid trip to China this month courtesy of the Chinese government."

This was not some misunderstanding. In fact, both offices confirmed the story was true. Just as the paper reported, Arthur Estopinan, chief of staff to Ros-Lehtinen, and Sally Canfield, who served as deputy chief of staff to Senator Rubio until she left his employ on December 5th, were part of a congressional staff trip facilitated by the U.S.-Asia Institute. An Institute source told the Tampa Bay Times, the trips were "paid for by the Chinese government."

Entire story --> here.

Change.org Petition--> You oppose our right to visit Cuba, but let your staffers visit China at China’s expense! End the double-standard by supporting all travel to Cuba or paying China back for your staffers’ trips.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Incredible. Ros-Lehtinen, and the bogus "exile," Senator Rubio.

So glad to see the petition.

Done.

Thank you, Mika.