King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

From the Feb. 12, 2004 Key West Citizen:

Grand jury summons Cuba boaters

BY TRAVIS JAMES TRITTEN

keysnews.com


KEY WEST -- A federal grand jury subpoenaed at least three sailors who
traveled from Key West to Cuba in a regatta and humanitarian aid
mission in May, and some race participants suspect U.S. attorneys are
seeking criminal indictments for alleged travel violations to the
communist country.

A Feb. 9 subpoena obtained by The Citizen commanded a local boat
captain who sailed in the Conch Republic Cup to appear before the Key
West jury Feb. 18.

The captain and two other sailors who were subpoenaed asked to remain
anonymous out of fear identifying them would affect possible cases
against them. They said agents with the U.S. Department of Commerce
interviewed them Tuesday about the trip to Cuba and then handed them
the subpoena.

In May, agents with the U.S Bureau of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and the Commerce Department searched boats when they
returned from the annual event and confiscated property such as global
positioning system records, cameras and event paperwork.

Regatta participants were licensed to carry medicine and medical
supplies to hospitals in Cuba.

"I got the impression from others I talked to that É it was likely
that everyone [in the regatta] was being subpoenaed," one boat captain
said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami said it could neither confirm nor
deny the grand jury subpoenas, which were signed by Karen Gilbert,
Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami. A spokesman with Customs Enforcement
was not immediately available.

The boat captain said he believes the grand jury activity is
politically motivated and part of a wider push to clamp down on travel
to Cuba.

"Our sailing organization is being singled out to become an example of
the Bush administration's stance on the [Cuban] embargo," he said.

Bush recently called for more stringent enforcement of laws that bar
most travel to Cuba. Spending money for Cuban travel is restricted to
licensed government officials, journalists, family members and a few
other select groups, according to the U.S. Department of State.

On May 21, the day before sailors departed Key West, Customs
Enforcement officers warned regatta participants not to take their
boats into Cuban waters. Zachary Mann, spokesman for the federal
agency, told The Citizen in May that the vessels were not approved by
the Commerce Department to travel to Cuba.

The federal Bureau of Export Administration sent a letter in late May
to Geslin Sailmakers, the organizer of the regatta, stating that the
sailors were required to get approval from the Commerce Department for
exporting to Cuba or Cuban waters "any vessel and its contents." The
letter also said unauthorized exports are subject to criminal
prosecution and administrative proceedings that could result in fines,
imprisonment, vessel forfeiture and denial of future export
privileges.

The Conch Republic Cup boaters sailed under the humanitarian aid
license of Concord Cayo Hueso, a Key West humanitarian group headed by
John Young that has been shipping food and medicine to Cuba since
1992.

"This year, being able to take humanitarian aid enabled us to, one,
legitimize our travels going under a license, but also to enhance the
purpose of it," a subpoenaed captain said. "We believed that we were
in compliance sailing under [Young's] license."

Young said regatta boaters were allowed to use the license on the
condition that they became members of his group.

"I know we had some members carrying food, and medicine primarily,"
Young said. "I don't know if [the grand jury activity] has anything to
do with Concord Cayo Hueso."

Young's humanitarian license was revoked following the May trip.

He said federal agents "bullied" the boaters at the docks when they
returned.

"There must have been 50 agents on those vessels coming back from that
race," Young said. "They took all kinds of stuff off those boats that
should not have been confiscated."

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Customs tore apart a friend's airplane a few years back when he landed
for Customs inspection after a fishing trip to Canada, a hotbed of
drug activity.

Upon searching his camping gear they came across a large jar half
filled with brown "crystals" labeled Ovaltine. They confiscated the
jar and, determined to find more, tore apart his airplane all over the
tarmac, finding nothing.

Because a Customs employee is a complete idiot, is it the President of
the United States' fault? Did the President know about this
overzealous inspection so we can blame him for it?

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Customs tore apart a friend's airplane a few years back when he landed
for Customs inspection after a fishing trip to Canada, a hotbed of
drug activity.

Upon searching his camping gear they came across a large jar half
filled with brown "crystals" labeled Ovaltine. They confiscated the
jar and, determined to find more, tore apart his airplane all over the
tarmac, finding nothing.

Because a Customs employee is a complete idiot, is it the President of
the United States' fault? Did the President know about this
overzealous inspection so we can blame him for it?

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Clearly the President does not 'know' about every interdiction
effort. No one claims that (well, no one sane anyway).

Just as clearly, the President *does* set both the overall 'tone',
and the direction such enforcement programs take. By default, the
choice of AG sets this tone, irrespective of the presence/absence
of any overt actions by POTUS. So, no need to be coy Larry.

When you break the law, and get caught, suck it up and deal with
it (whether it be politically motivated protest or not). This type
of interdiction program does not solely affect lawbreakers however.

Keith Hughes

Larry W4CSC wrote:

Customs tore apart a friend's airplane a few years back when he landed
for Customs inspection after a fishing trip to Canada, a hotbed of
drug activity.

Upon searching his camping gear they came across a large jar half
filled with brown "crystals" labeled Ovaltine. They confiscated the
jar and, determined to find more, tore apart his airplane all over the
tarmac, finding nothing.

Because a Customs employee is a complete idiot, is it the President of
the United States' fault? Did the President know about this
overzealous inspection so we can blame him for it?

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Clearly the President does not 'know' about every interdiction
effort. No one claims that (well, no one sane anyway).

Just as clearly, the President *does* set both the overall 'tone',
and the direction such enforcement programs take. By default, the
choice of AG sets this tone, irrespective of the presence/absence
of any overt actions by POTUS. So, no need to be coy Larry.

When you break the law, and get caught, suck it up and deal with
it (whether it be politically motivated protest or not). This type
of interdiction program does not solely affect lawbreakers however.

Keith Hughes

Larry W4CSC wrote:

Customs tore apart a friend's airplane a few years back when he landed
for Customs inspection after a fishing trip to Canada, a hotbed of
drug activity.

Upon searching his camping gear they came across a large jar half
filled with brown "crystals" labeled Ovaltine. They confiscated the
jar and, determined to find more, tore apart his airplane all over the
tarmac, finding nothing.

Because a Customs employee is a complete idiot, is it the President of
the United States' fault? Did the President know about this
overzealous inspection so we can blame him for it?

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I guess it would be ok to strap some inner tubes together and paddle like
hell.
Does anyone out there still believe the US embargo on Cuba will be
successfull?
After more than FORTY YEARS!
And all of this crap well after the cold war and our great friendship with
the crew that funded all the bad feeling between the US and Cuba, yes the
Russians!
I don't believe the Cuban people are hanging out at the Bay of Pigs beach
waiting for us.
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I guess it would be ok to strap some inner tubes together and paddle like
hell.
Does anyone out there still believe the US embargo on Cuba will be
successfull?
After more than FORTY YEARS!
And all of this crap well after the cold war and our great friendship with
the crew that funded all the bad feeling between the US and Cuba, yes the
Russians!
I don't believe the Cuban people are hanging out at the Bay of Pigs beach
waiting for us.
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Forgot one little point in my rant; the restrictions on travel have been
increased can't have anything to do with GWB or his brothers political
considerations in FL could they?
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Forgot one little point in my rant; the restrictions on travel have been
increased can't have anything to do with GWB or his brothers political
considerations in FL could they?
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Larry W4CSC wrote:

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Sorry folks but Larry pulled a string that cannot be ignored.

About this particular incident he was well aware. The Conch Regata was
targeted directly by Ashcroft as a way to intimidate the rest of us. It
was even mentioned in a DOJ briefing back in June. Treasury and the DOJ
waivered a bit when the fact came out that the permit was withdrawn the
day before the regata was to depart but word came directly from chief
puppet master Carl Rove to push it.

The odd thing is, if you are of Cuban extraction you can go to Cuba and
although they are supposed to be limited to carrying no more than $200
worth of goods if you visit the Miami airport you will see them lined up
with everything from color TVs to microwaves. They also send over a
Billion dollars a year. That is the second largest income stream for
the island. Second only to European and Canadian tourism.

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Larry W4CSC wrote:

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Sorry folks but Larry pulled a string that cannot be ignored.

About this particular incident he was well aware. The Conch Regata was
targeted directly by Ashcroft as a way to intimidate the rest of us. It
was even mentioned in a DOJ briefing back in June. Treasury and the DOJ
waivered a bit when the fact came out that the permit was withdrawn the
day before the regata was to depart but word came directly from chief
puppet master Carl Rove to push it.

The odd thing is, if you are of Cuban extraction you can go to Cuba and
although they are supposed to be limited to carrying no more than $200
worth of goods if you visit the Miami airport you will see them lined up
with everything from color TVs to microwaves. They also send over a
Billion dollars a year. That is the second largest income stream for
the island. Second only to European and Canadian tourism.

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

land of the free and are not able to go were you want
"MMC" wrote in message
...
Forgot one little point in my rant; the restrictions on travel have been
increased can't have anything to do with GWB or his brothers political
considerations in FL could they?
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

land of the free and are not able to go were you want
"MMC" wrote in message
...
Forgot one little point in my rant; the restrictions on travel have been
increased can't have anything to do with GWB or his brothers political
considerations in FL could they?
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes

I heard on the radio this morning (US 1 radio at Big Pine) that the
boaters had a humanitarian license and were told it was OK to go (they
were taking medicines to Cuba), but that they couldn't take their
boats!!!


grandma Rosalie

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

go to Canada and then to cuba that is what most due
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:iVfXb.56932$u_6.15375@lakeread04...


Larry W4CSC wrote:

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Sorry folks but Larry pulled a string that cannot be ignored.

About this particular incident he was well aware. The Conch Regata was
targeted directly by Ashcroft as a way to intimidate the rest of us. It
was even mentioned in a DOJ briefing back in June. Treasury and the DOJ
waivered a bit when the fact came out that the permit was withdrawn the
day before the regata was to depart but word came directly from chief
puppet master Carl Rove to push it.

The odd thing is, if you are of Cuban extraction you can go to Cuba and
although they are supposed to be limited to carrying no more than $200
worth of goods if you visit the Miami airport you will see them lined up
with everything from color TVs to microwaves. They also send over a
Billion dollars a year. That is the second largest income stream for
the island. Second only to European and Canadian tourism.

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

go to Canada and then to cuba that is what most due
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:iVfXb.56932$u_6.15375@lakeread04...


Larry W4CSC wrote:

You don't REALLY believe POTUS knew anything about this incident any
more than my friend's Ovaltine bust, do you? They broke the law and
law enforcement did its job.



Sorry folks but Larry pulled a string that cannot be ignored.

About this particular incident he was well aware. The Conch Regata was
targeted directly by Ashcroft as a way to intimidate the rest of us. It
was even mentioned in a DOJ briefing back in June. Treasury and the DOJ
waivered a bit when the fact came out that the permit was withdrawn the
day before the regata was to depart but word came directly from chief
puppet master Carl Rove to push it.

The odd thing is, if you are of Cuban extraction you can go to Cuba and
although they are supposed to be limited to carrying no more than $200
worth of goods if you visit the Miami airport you will see them lined up
with everything from color TVs to microwaves. They also send over a
Billion dollars a year. That is the second largest income stream for
the island. Second only to European and Canadian tourism.

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 08:43:40 GMT, WaIIy
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 21:33:52 -0500, Glenn Ashmore
wrote:

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

Glenn, you are usually a reasonable poster. Please don't pull a Krause
and F-Up this group too.

Can't comment much about Cuba other than as a Canadian I can tan my
white arse semi-cheaply on their beaches and enrich their crappy
economy with my three-quarter dollars. G Cuba's popular as a
destination with Canadians, but no more so than half a dozen
non-Communist Dictatorship beauty spots of the Carribean.

But this...obsession...with Cuba on the part of American governments
and Miami grandkids of Batista cronies is looking a little crazy at
this stage. U.S. governments regularly play footsie with bigger
*******s than Castro (who I am under no illusions about, by the way),
and nobody blinks.

The frankly stupid results is that U.S. boaters can't cruise some of
the nicest spots on earth and hang with the generally friendly and
arguably pretty uncorrupted Cuban people...who understand a lot more
about their farcical situation and the real nature of the Castro
regime than most outsiders suspect.

Given the choice between a home-boy dictator, literacy and rations and
foreign gangsters, ignorance and starvation, they keep going for
Castro. What fools they must be, eh?

Anyway, maybe someday Americans will be able to cut through all the BS
on the topic, visit Cuba and decide for themselves.
R.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 08:43:40 GMT, WaIIy
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 21:33:52 -0500, Glenn Ashmore
wrote:

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

Glenn, you are usually a reasonable poster. Please don't pull a Krause
and F-Up this group too.

Can't comment much about Cuba other than as a Canadian I can tan my
white arse semi-cheaply on their beaches and enrich their crappy
economy with my three-quarter dollars. G Cuba's popular as a
destination with Canadians, but no more so than half a dozen
non-Communist Dictatorship beauty spots of the Carribean.

But this...obsession...with Cuba on the part of American governments
and Miami grandkids of Batista cronies is looking a little crazy at
this stage. U.S. governments regularly play footsie with bigger
*******s than Castro (who I am under no illusions about, by the way),
and nobody blinks.

The frankly stupid results is that U.S. boaters can't cruise some of
the nicest spots on earth and hang with the generally friendly and
arguably pretty uncorrupted Cuban people...who understand a lot more
about their farcical situation and the real nature of the Castro
regime than most outsiders suspect.

Given the choice between a home-boy dictator, literacy and rations and
foreign gangsters, ignorance and starvation, they keep going for
Castro. What fools they must be, eh?

Anyway, maybe someday Americans will be able to cut through all the BS
on the topic, visit Cuba and decide for themselves.
R.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?
By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.
Merlin.
"rhys" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 08:43:40 GMT, WaIIy
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 21:33:52 -0500, Glenn Ashmore
wrote:

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

Glenn, you are usually a reasonable poster. Please don't pull a Krause
and F-Up this group too.

Can't comment much about Cuba other than as a Canadian I can tan my
white arse semi-cheaply on their beaches and enrich their crappy
economy with my three-quarter dollars. G Cuba's popular as a
destination with Canadians, but no more so than half a dozen
non-Communist Dictatorship beauty spots of the Carribean.

But this...obsession...with Cuba on the part of American governments
and Miami grandkids of Batista cronies is looking a little crazy at
this stage. U.S. governments regularly play footsie with bigger
*******s than Castro (who I am under no illusions about, by the way),
and nobody blinks.

The frankly stupid results is that U.S. boaters can't cruise some of
the nicest spots on earth and hang with the generally friendly and
arguably pretty uncorrupted Cuban people...who understand a lot more
about their farcical situation and the real nature of the Castro
regime than most outsiders suspect.

Given the choice between a home-boy dictator, literacy and rations and
foreign gangsters, ignorance and starvation, they keep going for
Castro. What fools they must be, eh?

Anyway, maybe someday Americans will be able to cut through all the BS
on the topic, visit Cuba and decide for themselves.
R.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?
By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.
Merlin.
"rhys" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 08:43:40 GMT, WaIIy
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 21:33:52 -0500, Glenn Ashmore
wrote:

This restriction on the rest of the citizens of the US is strictly to
keep the Miami Cubans voting Republican. Last year when the Dubya
tightened the restrictions on the rest of us he relaxed the rules on the
Miami Cubans.

Glenn, you are usually a reasonable poster. Please don't pull a Krause
and F-Up this group too.

Can't comment much about Cuba other than as a Canadian I can tan my
white arse semi-cheaply on their beaches and enrich their crappy
economy with my three-quarter dollars. G Cuba's popular as a
destination with Canadians, but no more so than half a dozen
non-Communist Dictatorship beauty spots of the Carribean.

But this...obsession...with Cuba on the part of American governments
and Miami grandkids of Batista cronies is looking a little crazy at
this stage. U.S. governments regularly play footsie with bigger
*******s than Castro (who I am under no illusions about, by the way),
and nobody blinks.

The frankly stupid results is that U.S. boaters can't cruise some of
the nicest spots on earth and hang with the generally friendly and
arguably pretty uncorrupted Cuban people...who understand a lot more
about their farcical situation and the real nature of the Castro
regime than most outsiders suspect.

Given the choice between a home-boy dictator, literacy and rations and
foreign gangsters, ignorance and starvation, they keep going for
Castro. What fools they must be, eh?

Anyway, maybe someday Americans will be able to cut through all the BS
on the topic, visit Cuba and decide for themselves.
R.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 17:22:25 GMT, "MMC" wrote:

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?

The Miami Cuban establishment and people who don't think too deeply
about politics and money, I assume.

By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.

Sorry to hear that and I hope it doesn't permanently affect your
boating.

I "speak" to a lot of Americans thanks to newsgroups, lists, etc., and
when the conversation strays of-topic into politics, I am hearing from
a lot of "ex-Republicans". We have the same problem in Canada in that
our Conservatives aren't conservative, our Liberals aren't liberal,
and our socialists are beginning to look reasonable only because the
other two parties give money to their pals so heavily that they can't
HELP but be as fiscally responsible as conservatives/Republicans are
SUPPOSED to be. Many "conservatives" today seem to up spending and
slash taxes. Well, a five-year-old can figure out how long that can go
on before it all turns to ****, can't he?

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to
bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I
don't mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 17:22:25 GMT, "MMC" wrote:

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?

The Miami Cuban establishment and people who don't think too deeply
about politics and money, I assume.

By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.

Sorry to hear that and I hope it doesn't permanently affect your
boating.

I "speak" to a lot of Americans thanks to newsgroups, lists, etc., and
when the conversation strays of-topic into politics, I am hearing from
a lot of "ex-Republicans". We have the same problem in Canada in that
our Conservatives aren't conservative, our Liberals aren't liberal,
and our socialists are beginning to look reasonable only because the
other two parties give money to their pals so heavily that they can't
HELP but be as fiscally responsible as conservatives/Republicans are
SUPPOSED to be. Many "conservatives" today seem to up spending and
slash taxes. Well, a five-year-old can figure out how long that can go
on before it all turns to ****, can't he?

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to
bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I
don't mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

So why is this different than when Bubba was President, or George the 1st,
or Reagan, or Carter, or Ford, or Nixon, or Johnson or . . . . Ho hum!

The only difference is the increase in the number of people who have, as of
late, decided to go to Cuba. And then, advertised the fact. Then they wonder
why? Duuuhhhh!!!

Bet you the same people think sailboats always have the right of way,
silencers work on revolvers the millenium ended at the end of 1999, or . .
..drive their cars talking on cellphones, tailgating, speeding and running
redlights, then wonder why they get in accidents or get tickets.

Wave a red flag . . .get the horn.

M.





"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...
From the Feb. 12, 2004 Key West Citizen:

Grand jury summons Cuba boaters

BY TRAVIS JAMES TRITTEN

keysnews.com


KEY WEST -- A federal grand jury subpoenaed at least three sailors who
traveled from Key West to Cuba in a regatta and humanitarian aid
mission in May, and some race participants suspect U.S. attorneys are
seeking criminal indictments for alleged travel violations to the
communist country.

A Feb. 9 subpoena obtained by The Citizen commanded a local boat
captain who sailed in the Conch Republic Cup to appear before the Key
West jury Feb. 18.

The captain and two other sailors who were subpoenaed asked to remain
anonymous out of fear identifying them would affect possible cases
against them. They said agents with the U.S. Department of Commerce
interviewed them Tuesday about the trip to Cuba and then handed them
the subpoena.

In May, agents with the U.S Bureau of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and the Commerce Department searched boats when they
returned from the annual event and confiscated property such as global
positioning system records, cameras and event paperwork.

Regatta participants were licensed to carry medicine and medical
supplies to hospitals in Cuba.

"I got the impression from others I talked to that É it was likely
that everyone [in the regatta] was being subpoenaed," one boat captain
said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami said it could neither confirm nor
deny the grand jury subpoenas, which were signed by Karen Gilbert,
Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami. A spokesman with Customs Enforcement
was not immediately available.

The boat captain said he believes the grand jury activity is
politically motivated and part of a wider push to clamp down on travel
to Cuba.

"Our sailing organization is being singled out to become an example of
the Bush administration's stance on the [Cuban] embargo," he said.

Bush recently called for more stringent enforcement of laws that bar
most travel to Cuba. Spending money for Cuban travel is restricted to
licensed government officials, journalists, family members and a few
other select groups, according to the U.S. Department of State.

On May 21, the day before sailors departed Key West, Customs
Enforcement officers warned regatta participants not to take their
boats into Cuban waters. Zachary Mann, spokesman for the federal
agency, told The Citizen in May that the vessels were not approved by
the Commerce Department to travel to Cuba.

The federal Bureau of Export Administration sent a letter in late May
to Geslin Sailmakers, the organizer of the regatta, stating that the
sailors were required to get approval from the Commerce Department for
exporting to Cuba or Cuban waters "any vessel and its contents." The
letter also said unauthorized exports are subject to criminal
prosecution and administrative proceedings that could result in fines,
imprisonment, vessel forfeiture and denial of future export
privileges.

The Conch Republic Cup boaters sailed under the humanitarian aid
license of Concord Cayo Hueso, a Key West humanitarian group headed by
John Young that has been shipping food and medicine to Cuba since
1992.

"This year, being able to take humanitarian aid enabled us to, one,
legitimize our travels going under a license, but also to enhance the
purpose of it," a subpoenaed captain said. "We believed that we were
in compliance sailing under [Young's] license."

Young said regatta boaters were allowed to use the license on the
condition that they became members of his group.

"I know we had some members carrying food, and medicine primarily,"
Young said. "I don't know if [the grand jury activity] has anything to
do with Concord Cayo Hueso."

Young's humanitarian license was revoked following the May trip.

He said federal agents "bullied" the boaters at the docks when they
returned.

"There must have been 50 agents on those vessels coming back from that
race," Young said. "They took all kinds of stuff off those boats that
should not have been confiscated."

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

So why is this different than when Bubba was President, or George the 1st,
or Reagan, or Carter, or Ford, or Nixon, or Johnson or . . . . Ho hum!

The only difference is the increase in the number of people who have, as of
late, decided to go to Cuba. And then, advertised the fact. Then they wonder
why? Duuuhhhh!!!

Bet you the same people think sailboats always have the right of way,
silencers work on revolvers the millenium ended at the end of 1999, or . .
..drive their cars talking on cellphones, tailgating, speeding and running
redlights, then wonder why they get in accidents or get tickets.

Wave a red flag . . .get the horn.

M.





"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...
From the Feb. 12, 2004 Key West Citizen:

Grand jury summons Cuba boaters

BY TRAVIS JAMES TRITTEN

keysnews.com


KEY WEST -- A federal grand jury subpoenaed at least three sailors who
traveled from Key West to Cuba in a regatta and humanitarian aid
mission in May, and some race participants suspect U.S. attorneys are
seeking criminal indictments for alleged travel violations to the
communist country.

A Feb. 9 subpoena obtained by The Citizen commanded a local boat
captain who sailed in the Conch Republic Cup to appear before the Key
West jury Feb. 18.

The captain and two other sailors who were subpoenaed asked to remain
anonymous out of fear identifying them would affect possible cases
against them. They said agents with the U.S. Department of Commerce
interviewed them Tuesday about the trip to Cuba and then handed them
the subpoena.

In May, agents with the U.S Bureau of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and the Commerce Department searched boats when they
returned from the annual event and confiscated property such as global
positioning system records, cameras and event paperwork.

Regatta participants were licensed to carry medicine and medical
supplies to hospitals in Cuba.

"I got the impression from others I talked to that É it was likely
that everyone [in the regatta] was being subpoenaed," one boat captain
said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami said it could neither confirm nor
deny the grand jury subpoenas, which were signed by Karen Gilbert,
Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami. A spokesman with Customs Enforcement
was not immediately available.

The boat captain said he believes the grand jury activity is
politically motivated and part of a wider push to clamp down on travel
to Cuba.

"Our sailing organization is being singled out to become an example of
the Bush administration's stance on the [Cuban] embargo," he said.

Bush recently called for more stringent enforcement of laws that bar
most travel to Cuba. Spending money for Cuban travel is restricted to
licensed government officials, journalists, family members and a few
other select groups, according to the U.S. Department of State.

On May 21, the day before sailors departed Key West, Customs
Enforcement officers warned regatta participants not to take their
boats into Cuban waters. Zachary Mann, spokesman for the federal
agency, told The Citizen in May that the vessels were not approved by
the Commerce Department to travel to Cuba.

The federal Bureau of Export Administration sent a letter in late May
to Geslin Sailmakers, the organizer of the regatta, stating that the
sailors were required to get approval from the Commerce Department for
exporting to Cuba or Cuban waters "any vessel and its contents." The
letter also said unauthorized exports are subject to criminal
prosecution and administrative proceedings that could result in fines,
imprisonment, vessel forfeiture and denial of future export
privileges.

The Conch Republic Cup boaters sailed under the humanitarian aid
license of Concord Cayo Hueso, a Key West humanitarian group headed by
John Young that has been shipping food and medicine to Cuba since
1992.

"This year, being able to take humanitarian aid enabled us to, one,
legitimize our travels going under a license, but also to enhance the
purpose of it," a subpoenaed captain said. "We believed that we were
in compliance sailing under [Young's] license."

Young said regatta boaters were allowed to use the license on the
condition that they became members of his group.

"I know we had some members carrying food, and medicine primarily,"
Young said. "I don't know if [the grand jury activity] has anything to
do with Concord Cayo Hueso."

Young's humanitarian license was revoked following the May trip.

He said federal agents "bullied" the boaters at the docks when they
returned.

"There must have been 50 agents on those vessels coming back from that
race," Young said. "They took all kinds of stuff off those boats that
should not have been confiscated."

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Sounds like politicians and politics are the same eiyther side of the border
Rhys.
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do away with them all?
I'll have to see about the boating.
Think I'll become an illigal immigrant to Cuba!
Merlin.
"rhys" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 17:22:25 GMT, "MMC" wrote:

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want
and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?

The Miami Cuban establishment and people who don't think too deeply
about politics and money, I assume.

By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has
alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.

Sorry to hear that and I hope it doesn't permanently affect your
boating.

I "speak" to a lot of Americans thanks to newsgroups, lists, etc., and
when the conversation strays of-topic into politics, I am hearing from
a lot of "ex-Republicans". We have the same problem in Canada in that
our Conservatives aren't conservative, our Liberals aren't liberal,
and our socialists are beginning to look reasonable only because the
other two parties give money to their pals so heavily that they can't
HELP but be as fiscally responsible as conservatives/Republicans are
SUPPOSED to be. Many "conservatives" today seem to up spending and
slash taxes. Well, a five-year-old can figure out how long that can go
on before it all turns to ****, can't he?

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to
bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I
don't mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Sounds like politicians and politics are the same eiyther side of the border
Rhys.
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do away with them all?
I'll have to see about the boating.
Think I'll become an illigal immigrant to Cuba!
Merlin.
"rhys" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 17:22:25 GMT, "MMC" wrote:

I agree 100%.
In any country under embargo, the powerful have what they need and want
and
the poor are caused to suffer by the embargo, so who is the target?

The Miami Cuban establishment and people who don't think too deeply
about politics and money, I assume.

By the way, I'm an American Military Veteran and ex-Republican who has
alot
of trouble walking thanks to a bomb outside Baghdad.

Sorry to hear that and I hope it doesn't permanently affect your
boating.

I "speak" to a lot of Americans thanks to newsgroups, lists, etc., and
when the conversation strays of-topic into politics, I am hearing from
a lot of "ex-Republicans". We have the same problem in Canada in that
our Conservatives aren't conservative, our Liberals aren't liberal,
and our socialists are beginning to look reasonable only because the
other two parties give money to their pals so heavily that they can't
HELP but be as fiscally responsible as conservatives/Republicans are
SUPPOSED to be. Many "conservatives" today seem to up spending and
slash taxes. Well, a five-year-old can figure out how long that can go
on before it all turns to ****, can't he?

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to
bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I
don't mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Hmmmm.... could this be the new Harry Krause from wrecked.botes???? Let's
leave it there and try not to screw up this group as well.

--


Keith
__
A critic is a man who knows the way, but can't drive the car.
"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Hmmmm.... could this be the new Harry Krause from wrecked.botes???? Let's
leave it there and try not to screw up this group as well.

--


Keith
__
A critic is a man who knows the way, but can't drive the car.
"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Keith, Thought this was a newsgroup about subjects that affect
boaters. I think this is a serious issue that as the original post
states has a major impact on boaters. Or did I miss something. Chuck


"Keith" wrote in message ...
Hmmmm.... could this be the new Harry Krause from wrecked.botes???? Let's
leave it there and try not to screw up this group as well.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

Keith, Thought this was a newsgroup about subjects that affect
boaters. I think this is a serious issue that as the original post
states has a major impact on boaters. Or did I miss something. Chuck


"Keith" wrote in message ...
Hmmmm.... could this be the new Harry Krause from wrecked.botes???? Let's
leave it there and try not to screw up this group as well.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to

bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I don't
mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.


There is place like that. Just cruise to American Samoa. You'll see the
results.

M.

King George Dubyu and the boaters
 

I want to pay enough taxes to fund education, health, safety and
environmental standards. I want my government to resist the urge to
tell me how I can live, what I can do that doesnt' harm others, and to

bribe their pals with patronage appointments and cushy contracts. I don't
mind paying higher taxes if I can see the results in health
care, education and air that's clean(er) and cities that aren't
crumbling. That is not the case, lately.

Obviously, I'm a hopeless idealist, which is why I'm better off
cruising, I guess.


There is place like that. Just cruise to American Samoa. You'll see the
results.

M.