The Time is Now
Falling for Cuba
By James Vlahos
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Cuba Beckons: Come On Down!
The Time is Now
Falling for Cuba
By James Vlahos
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Cuban-Americans Travel to the Homeland and the Sending of Family Remittances Survive
By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 17, 2011 Updated: December 17, 2011 - 12:00 AM
TAMPA -- A measure putting strict limits on Cuban-Americans' travel to Cuba and financial assistance sent to family members there has been removed from a congressional spending bill.
That ends — for now — a threat to the increased travel and remittances allowed by the Obama administration.
The measure would have reinstituted the restrictions in place during President George W. Bush's administration, when Cuban-Americans could visit families in Cuba only once every three years and send only $1,200 a year to immediate relatives there.
In 2009, shortly after taking office, President Barack Obama lifted those restrictions, allowing unlimited visits and remittances.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, a leading opponent of the Fidel Castro regime, had attached an amendment reinstating the restrictions to the trillion-dollar spending bill, which is designed to keep the government running so the House can take its holiday recess.
But House Republicans agreed Thursday to drop the language as part of a deal to bring the bill to the House floor.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, praised the change, saying Cuban-American families "can breathe a sigh of relief" that holiday season visits won't be prevented by what she called "last-minute political maneuvers."
"President Obama held firm on his policies supporting Cuban-American families in the face of Congressional Republican efforts to undermine progress. Holding firm proved to win the day," Castor said.
She said the restrictions would have damaged business prospects for the Tampa Bay area. Flights from Tampa to Cuba, which began in September, have grown from one a week to four, and total travelers to Cuba have tripled from 10,000 per month to nearly 30,000.
Joe Lopano, chief executive of Tampa International Airport, projected that about 43,200 passengers will fly from Tampa to Cuba in 2012.
"The flights to Cuba are an important part of the airport's business plan," said airport authority spokeswoman Janet Zink. "Any measures that would slow demand is worrisome to us. We are very grateful for the work Rep. Castor did to maintain the status quo."
wmarch@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7761
Published: December 17, 2011 Updated: December 17, 2011 - 12:00 AM
TAMPA -- A measure putting strict limits on Cuban-Americans' travel to Cuba and financial assistance sent to family members there has been removed from a congressional spending bill.
That ends — for now — a threat to the increased travel and remittances allowed by the Obama administration.
The measure would have reinstituted the restrictions in place during President George W. Bush's administration, when Cuban-Americans could visit families in Cuba only once every three years and send only $1,200 a year to immediate relatives there.
In 2009, shortly after taking office, President Barack Obama lifted those restrictions, allowing unlimited visits and remittances.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, a leading opponent of the Fidel Castro regime, had attached an amendment reinstating the restrictions to the trillion-dollar spending bill, which is designed to keep the government running so the House can take its holiday recess.
But House Republicans agreed Thursday to drop the language as part of a deal to bring the bill to the House floor.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, praised the change, saying Cuban-American families "can breathe a sigh of relief" that holiday season visits won't be prevented by what she called "last-minute political maneuvers."
"President Obama held firm on his policies supporting Cuban-American families in the face of Congressional Republican efforts to undermine progress. Holding firm proved to win the day," Castor said.
She said the restrictions would have damaged business prospects for the Tampa Bay area. Flights from Tampa to Cuba, which began in September, have grown from one a week to four, and total travelers to Cuba have tripled from 10,000 per month to nearly 30,000.
Joe Lopano, chief executive of Tampa International Airport, projected that about 43,200 passengers will fly from Tampa to Cuba in 2012.
"The flights to Cuba are an important part of the airport's business plan," said airport authority spokeswoman Janet Zink. "Any measures that would slow demand is worrisome to us. We are very grateful for the work Rep. Castor did to maintain the status quo."
wmarch@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7761
Friday, December 16, 2011
Republicans Agree to Drop Language Dealing with Cuba Travel from Budget Deal Bill
Advisers to President Barack Obama had recommended that he veto the law, if it included the controversial language sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.
Read the Faux News Article
Florida Republicans Fail to Overturn Cuba Policy
POTUS CALLED THE BLUFF, AND THE EXTREMISTS FOLDED THEIR HAND. Score one for Obama!.
Read the Faux News Article
Florida Republicans Fail to Overturn Cuba Policy
POTUS CALLED THE BLUFF, AND THE EXTREMISTS FOLDED THEIR HAND. Score one for Obama!.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Miami Scum Gusano Mario Diaz-Balart Wants to Build a New Berlin Wall Around Cuba for Cuban Americans
Orlando Sentinel
Cuban Americans could travel only once every three years if measure is approved
By Juan O. Tamayo The Miami Herald
12:18 p.m. EST, December 13, 2011
A Congressional proposal to roll back the Obama administration’s broad opening of Cuban-American travel and remittances to Cuba appeared likely to be approved as part of a year-end spending bill winding its way through the Capitol.
“My concern is that this is very much alive,” Rep. José E. Serrano, a New York Democrat who has long opposed U.S. sanctions on Cuba, declared Monday as he tried to mobilize opposition to the proposal.
President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the measure, submitted by South Florida Republican Mario Diaz Balart in July, to roll back Obama’s decision to ease U.S. restrictions on Cuban Americans who travel or send money to Cuba.
But the measure is part of a critical U.S. spending bill that must be approved by the House and Senate in the next few days, and which Obama would find it difficult if not impossible to veto, according to Congressional staffers.
The Diaz-Balart measure would return the restrictions to levels set by President George W. Bush: only one trip every three years for “family reunifications,” a cap on remittances of $1,200 per year and a tighter definition of “family.”’
“This is changing the rules in the middle of the game,” Serrano told El Nuevo Herald Monday. “What happens to Doña Juana, who left today for Cuba. She will be in violation … What happens to people who made plans to travel the 22nd?”
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JG: This is typical of the COMEMIERDA Mario Diaz-Balart. Hate is his big motivation.
I hope that the U.S. Senate removes his scummy proposal.
Cuban Americans could travel only once every three years if measure is approved
By Juan O. Tamayo The Miami Herald
12:18 p.m. EST, December 13, 2011
A Congressional proposal to roll back the Obama administration’s broad opening of Cuban-American travel and remittances to Cuba appeared likely to be approved as part of a year-end spending bill winding its way through the Capitol.
“My concern is that this is very much alive,” Rep. José E. Serrano, a New York Democrat who has long opposed U.S. sanctions on Cuba, declared Monday as he tried to mobilize opposition to the proposal.
President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the measure, submitted by South Florida Republican Mario Diaz Balart in July, to roll back Obama’s decision to ease U.S. restrictions on Cuban Americans who travel or send money to Cuba.
But the measure is part of a critical U.S. spending bill that must be approved by the House and Senate in the next few days, and which Obama would find it difficult if not impossible to veto, according to Congressional staffers.
The Diaz-Balart measure would return the restrictions to levels set by President George W. Bush: only one trip every three years for “family reunifications,” a cap on remittances of $1,200 per year and a tighter definition of “family.”’
“This is changing the rules in the middle of the game,” Serrano told El Nuevo Herald Monday. “What happens to Doña Juana, who left today for Cuba. She will be in violation … What happens to people who made plans to travel the 22nd?”
------
JG: This is typical of the COMEMIERDA Mario Diaz-Balart. Hate is his big motivation.
I hope that the U.S. Senate removes his scummy proposal.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Marco 'The Idiot' Rubio: he doesn't want you to fly to Cuba from Tampa
St. Petersburg Times
Rubio defends his stand against more Cuba flights
By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Oct 27, 2011 02:38 PM
TAMPA – Sen. Marco Rubio and Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce officials chose not to rekindle a battle over new flights to Cuba.
But during a visit here Thursday, the Miami Republican bristled at a reporter's suggestion that he tried to block flights from Tampa to protect Miami travel businesses.
"The idea that I'm a friend of the fly-to-Cuba-from-Miami crowd is absurd,'' he said at a press conference. "No one would criticize someone going to Cuba to see their dying mother. What we're opposed to is expansion of these new flights from Miami or anywhere else. The add more money to the (Castro) regime.''
In February, Rubio proposed an amendment to a Federal Aviation Authority funding bill that would have prohibited any additional flights between the United States and countries, such as Cuba, designated as "state sponsors of terrorism'' by the State Department.
At the time, charter flights to Cuba were restricted to three gateway cities: Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
Chamber CEO Robert Rohrlach fired off a letter to Rubio, saying that [he] benefited his hometown of Miami at the expense of Tampa Bay and four other Florida metro areas that were seeking non-stop flights to the island nation.
"I sincerely hope that you will withdraw (the amendment) in order to more accurately reflect the resolve of the entire state as opposed to the interests of a few.''
The amendment failed in the Senate. Tampa International and airports in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Key West subsequently won federal approval for Cuba flights. Charter companies now fly twice weekly from Tampa International to Havana. Two additional weekly flights — one to Havana and one to Holguin— start in November.
Contact Steve Huettel at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.
[Last modified: Oct 27, 2011 02:39 PM]
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JG: Florida voters ought to have their heads examined for having elected this idiot to the U.S. Senate.
Rubio defends his stand against more Cuba flights
By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Oct 27, 2011 02:38 PM
TAMPA – Sen. Marco Rubio and Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce officials chose not to rekindle a battle over new flights to Cuba.
But during a visit here Thursday, the Miami Republican bristled at a reporter's suggestion that he tried to block flights from Tampa to protect Miami travel businesses.
"The idea that I'm a friend of the fly-to-Cuba-from-Miami crowd is absurd,'' he said at a press conference. "No one would criticize someone going to Cuba to see their dying mother. What we're opposed to is expansion of these new flights from Miami or anywhere else. The add more money to the (Castro) regime.''
In February, Rubio proposed an amendment to a Federal Aviation Authority funding bill that would have prohibited any additional flights between the United States and countries, such as Cuba, designated as "state sponsors of terrorism'' by the State Department.
At the time, charter flights to Cuba were restricted to three gateway cities: Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
Chamber CEO Robert Rohrlach fired off a letter to Rubio, saying that [he] benefited his hometown of Miami at the expense of Tampa Bay and four other Florida metro areas that were seeking non-stop flights to the island nation.
"I sincerely hope that you will withdraw (the amendment) in order to more accurately reflect the resolve of the entire state as opposed to the interests of a few.''
The amendment failed in the Senate. Tampa International and airports in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Key West subsequently won federal approval for Cuba flights. Charter companies now fly twice weekly from Tampa International to Havana. Two additional weekly flights — one to Havana and one to Holguin— start in November.
Contact Steve Huettel at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.
[Last modified: Oct 27, 2011 02:39 PM]
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JG: Florida voters ought to have their heads examined for having elected this idiot to the U.S. Senate.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Direct Flights to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale Kick Off With a Party
Excited passengers celebrated the return of direct flights to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale Saturday morning
By Mary Beth Wilson
Saturday, Sep 17, 2011 | Updated 11:11 PM EDT
The atmosphere was lively at the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood-International Airport Saturday morning as eager passengers celebrated the return of direct flights to Cuba.
Travelers sported straw hats and danced to live music as they filled the JetBlue Airways terminal before boarding the first direct flight to Cuba in nearly 30 years.
Since direct flights ended in 1987, most travelers have had to fly to other countries before then traveling on to Cuba.
Complete Story
By Mary Beth Wilson
Saturday, Sep 17, 2011 | Updated 11:11 PM EDT
The atmosphere was lively at the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood-International Airport Saturday morning as eager passengers celebrated the return of direct flights to Cuba.
Travelers sported straw hats and danced to live music as they filled the JetBlue Airways terminal before boarding the first direct flight to Cuba in nearly 30 years.
Since direct flights ended in 1987, most travelers have had to fly to other countries before then traveling on to Cuba.
Complete Story
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