Though I agree with Obama's Cuba position, it is all about big business

[Slim Pickens]

35. Think Haiti

If we take a look at that part of the world it's not hard to imagine what Cuba might look like in 20 years or so if the US corporations get their way.

I agree with you that is all about cracking another nut for US corporations and is connected to other geopolitical motives. To portray this as some sort of magical and benevolent change of heart by the State Department would be laughable. There is absolutely zero evidence that would substantiate such a claim and mountains of evidence that leads to less charitable motives.

Here's my take on it:

Now let's look at just 5 of the "benefits" of this so-called "normalization" process:

What the US will give Cuba:

1) "Diplomatic opening: The U.S. will take steps toward restoring diplomatic ties with Cuba, severed since 1961."

What does this mean? What was Cuba like directly preceding the Revolution in 1959 and what role did the US play in this? In 1934 US puppet-dictator Fulgencio Batista took over the Cuban government in what became known as "The Revolt of the Sergeants." For the next twenty-five years he ruled Cuba with an iron fist with the full blessing and endorsement of the United States government, who feared a social and economic revolution and saw him as a stabilizing force with respect for American business interests.

If we are to take this first piece of normalization at face value then we can conclude that the US will actively work to install an oppressive government in Cuba friendly to US business interests to the detriment of the Cuban people as it has done elsewhere in the region. No crystal ball needed here.

2) "Embassy in Havana: This will include the goal of reopening a US embassy in Havana in the coming months. The embassy has been closed for over half a century."

What are the benefits of having a US embassy in your country? What does this mean for the Cuban people? All we need to do is look at past history and examine the following coups which emanated from various US embassies to make an educated guess as to what the purpose of an embassy in Havana will be for the US. Consider the following:

Iran (1953); Guatemala(1954); Thailand (1957); Laos (1958-60); the Congo (1960); Turkey (1960, 1971 & 1980); Ecuador (1961 & 1963); South Vietnam (1963); Brazil (1964); the Dominican Republic (1963); Argentina (1963); Honduras (1963 & 2009); Iraq (1963 & 2003); Bolivia (1964, 1971 & 1980); Indonesia (1965); Ghana (1966); Greece (1967); Panama (1968 & 1989); Cambodia (1970); Chile (1973); Bangladesh (1975); Pakistan (1977); Grenada (1983); Mauritania (1984); Guinea (1984); Burkina Faso (1987); Paraguay (1989); Haiti (1991 & 2004); Russia (1993); Uganda (1996);and Libya (2011).

3) "Release alleged Cuban spies: The US will release three Cubans who were convicted of espionage and imprisoned in the US: Gerardo Hernandez, Luis Medina, and Antonio Guerrero. All three prisoners were members of the "Wasp Network," a group that spied on prominent members of the Cuban-American community. CNN reports that Hernandez, the group's leader, was also linked to the downing of two two civilian planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a U.S.-based dissident group."

This should be celebrated but don't be fooled- this is only window-dressing.
And let's not forget that these Cuban intelligence officers were sent to Miami to monitor the terrorist groups that had carried out bombing attacks on the island.

4) "Easing business and travel restrictions: The U.S. will make it easier for Americans to obtain licenses to do business in Cuba, and to travel to the island. CNN reports that the new rules still won't permit American tourism, but will make it easier to visit for other purposes."

This is perhaps the most dangerous of the so-called benefits. As this moves forward- if it does- you will gradually see more US business interests invade Cuba with the ultimate goal to be a complete takeover of the economy ala Haiti.

US companies will be allowed to export telecommunications equipment and “establish the necessary mechanisms, including infrastructure” in Cuba to provide telephone and Internet services. US companies will also be allowed to export building materials, agricultural equipment, machinery and other goods “to empower the nascent Cuban private sector” and foster “greater economic independence" from the state. That means privatization.

If such cases which are documented throughout the hemisphere are indicators this means economic terrorism the likes of what we have read from John Perkin's, "Economic Hit Men." It's the same formula all over the world. Prepare to see the IMF/World Bank and Cuba's obligation to "harmonize" it's economy with Wall St. if this moves forward as predicted by the likes of the liberal pundits.

5) "Review of basis for sanctions: Secretary of State John Kerry has been ordered to review Cuba's status as a "state sponsor of terrorism." If his review determines that Cuba no longer deserves that status, that will be a first step towards lifting at least some US sanctions."

How will this work? What does this mean? As always the statement from the State Department is an inversion of reality. And as we know any and all reviews will be vetted by the Business Round Table and if Cuba does align with US business interests they will be deemed a favored nation, if not they will be tagged as terrorists no matter how generous they may be in the world.

Simply because the most depraved elements of the US body politic like Rubio react as only they know how does not mean this rapprochement will benefit the Cuban people. No doubt from the US point of view this is all about benefiting US corporations.