Doug Dotson wrote:

... The only reason that
folks have cruised to Cuba since it has been allowed over the
past few years is to impress others (ie. "Look at me, I'm so brave
that I went to Cuba") ...

Are you quite certain about this? Manu folks I know who have cruised Cuba
(i.e., not merely jumped over to Marina Hemingway and jumped back to
Florida) are not at all ready to make a fuss about their trip, since they
are aware of the US position and of the lengths the US government will go to
in order to make examples of citizens who violate Treasury regulations.

In addition, the case can easily be made that Cuba is not at all like
other destinations available to East Coast sailors.

First and most obviously, it's a totalitarian state with all that implies.
You don't get to visit too many places like that in a small boat these days.

Second, the Cuban people are simply unlike other people in the hemisphere.
They have had a unique experience, both culturally and governmentally, and
learning about this (as much as possible) is itself definitely worthwhile.

Third, there are no crowds. There is still a "wild west" flavor to
anchoring in out-of-the-way harbors along the Cuban coast that just cannot
be described. This is definitely _not_ 450 boats anchored in George Town
Exuma for the morning VHF roll call.

Fourth, the interior is lush and dramatic, and varies from the harsh culture
of sugar cultivation in the east to the maternal farming methods of tobacco
in the west. There is a lot to see and learn along the way.

Fifth, if you like music, there are few places in the hemisphere to match
what's available in Cuba. An argument can be made that the best baseball
players, the best tobacco, and the best music originate in Cuba..

Sixth, getting a glimpse of the human side of the above issues is an
invaluable experience. It certainly gives one a different perspective on
the bountiful country we live in here in the US.

Other than these few items, I don't think we differ much in our opinions.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
Doug Dotson wrote:

... The only reason that
folks have cruised to Cuba since it has been allowed over the
past few years is to impress others (ie. "Look at me, I'm so brave
that I went to Cuba") ...

Are you quite certain about this? Manu folks I know who have cruised Cuba
(i.e., not merely jumped over to Marina Hemingway and jumped back to
Florida) are not at all ready to make a fuss about their trip, since they
are aware of the US position and of the lengths the US government will go
to
in order to make examples of citizens who violate Treasury regulations.

I guess I meant the one that fill the cruising mags with stories
of their adventures.

In addition, the case can easily be made that Cuba is not at all like
other destinations available to East Coast sailors.

True, so why would I want to go there?

First and most obviously, it's a totalitarian state with all that implies.
You don't get to visit too many places like that in a small boat these
days.

Doesn't sound like a very pleasant place to go if you ask me.

Second, the Cuban people are simply unlike other people in the hemisphere.
They have had a unique experience, both culturally and governmentally, and
learning about this (as much as possible) is itself definitely worthwhile.

Possibly, but I don't have to cruise there to do that.

Third, there are no crowds. There is still a "wild west" flavor to
anchoring in out-of-the-way harbors along the Cuban coast that just cannot
be described. This is definitely _not_ 450 boats anchored in George Town
Exuma for the morning VHF roll call.

Not sure that cruising the wild-west is a fun thing. It's those arrows in my
back
that bother me.

Fourth, the interior is lush and dramatic, and varies from the harsh
culture
of sugar cultivation in the east to the maternal farming methods of
tobacco
in the west. There is a lot to see and learn along the way.

So is Costa Rica, Peurto Rico, and dozens of other places.

Fifth, if you like music, there are few places in the hemisphere to match
what's available in Cuba. An argument can be made that the best baseball
players, the best tobacco, and the best music originate in Cuba..

I still don't have to go there to appreciate.

Sixth, getting a glimpse of the human side of the above issues is an
invaluable experience. It certainly gives one a different perspective on
the bountiful country we live in here in the US.

Sure, I love vacations where I can emerse myself in other peoples
misery.

Other than these few items, I don't think we differ much in our opinions.

Agreed.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill

I know, I read it too.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cardinal Bill" wrote in
message ...
Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill

So, I think that I would love to sail to Cuba. What can those in power do
about confiscating my boat?

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
I know, I read it too.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cardinal Bill" wrote in
message ...
Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow,
next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill

OOOO! Now you did it!

"FMc" wrote in message
...
So, I think that I would love to sail to Cuba. What can those in power do
about confiscating my boat?

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
I know, I read it too.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cardinal Bill" wrote in
message ...
Doug Dotson wrote:

Doug, I scanned the article. Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America
(meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might"
be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have
to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

--
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow,
next
week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to
explain why it didn't happen.
-- Winston Churchill

"Cardinal Bill" wrote.....
Basically the proclamation by Bush says
that Homeland Security can sieze your boat and toss you and all the
people off of it (and maybe into the clink) ANYWHERE in America (meaning
if you're setting in Seattle or Chicago) if they "think" you "might" be
going to Cuba or "might have been" to Cuba. You don't actually have to
travel there. Oh yeah...this goes for ANY boat. Meaning if you're
from, say Mexico or any other nation in the world, and you're in an
American port Homeland Security can seize your boat.

Whoa! Just a damn minute here! What's that!!! Are you saying that
your US Homeland Security Force can seize my boat if I happen to go across
Lake Huron to an American Port, just because I have traveled to Cuba? I am
a Canadian who travels on a Canadian registered vessel. My government has
no restrictions on travel to Cuba. Were does it say this? Show me the law
that states this, please! This past February was my seventh trip to cruise
Cuba and it's waters. It is a great place to visit and the people are
wonderful.

James D. Carter, Port Captain, GLCC
"The Boat"
Bayfield
Canada

"Jim Carter" wrote in message news:cWTnc.24135 Whoa!
Just a damn minute here! What's that!!! Are you saying that
your US Homeland Security Force can seize my boat if I happen to go across
Lake Huron to an American Port, just because I have traveled to Cuba? I
am
a Canadian who travels on a Canadian registered vessel. My government has
no restrictions on travel to Cuba. Were does it say this? Show me the
law
that states this, please! This past February was my seventh trip to
cruise
Cuba and it's waters. It is a great place to visit and the people are
wonderful.

James D. Carter, Port Captain, GLCC
"The Boat"
Bayfield
Canada

Oh oh! Now that the 'cat is out of the bag' you'd better stay away from
the US. Next thing we'll be reading about you stripped naked and led around
on a dog leash.

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Oh oh! Now that the 'cat is out of the bag' you'd better stay away from
the US. Next thing we'll be reading about you stripped naked and led
around
on a dog leash.


Now, that's funny! I damn near fell off my chair laughing, just thinking
about it.

Jim

On Tue, 11 May 2004 01:16:28 GMT, "Jim Carter"
wrote:


"Don White" wrote in message
...
Oh oh! Now that the 'cat is out of the bag' you'd better stay away from
the US. Next thing we'll be reading about you stripped naked and led
around
on a dog leash.


Now, that's funny! I damn near fell off my chair laughing, just thinking
about it.

Well, I was watching theTravel Show on BBC last night. Some people
were quite serious about avoiding the US as holiday destination, as
there is a remote possibility of being treated real bad by the INS.
Overstayed your visa many years back, airline did not inform the INS
about your departure, maybe mistake you for someone else etc. Even
well-behaving WASP businessmen end up in jail and deported.

Been to the US many times, but now it is off my list, especially as
we have small children I want to keep away from problems. There are
plenty of other destinations, were even aliens have legal rights.



Mike









Jim