What Iraqis Really Think

Originally Posted by aimeecc

I have found web pages that list various state "NO American can travel to or from unless they have a rarely granted permit" (listed include Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Serbia, Sudan).
I think that's what being referred to by Aretha's doctor. ...

Correct.

The catch is that reading what you've written (from other sources "verbatim" I suppose) one will automatically assume that the "rarely granted permit" might be issued from the afore-mentioned countries. Or putting into other words, that those countries do not allow Americans to vist them, though this is not true. Never-the-less this is the interpretation most commonly voiced by Americans.

Take the point of Cuba for example. There are American agents at airports in such countries as Mexico, where flights go directly to and from Cuba. Those agents are trained in spotting American citizens disembarking from flights originating in Cuba. Once spotted those American citizens are reported to the Armerican government for prosecution.

If you are an American citizen you only need to open your passport and read what country(s) you are not allowed to visit by American law. It will be written in a slightly criptic fashion such as to be a bit unclear but if you read it well, you'll understand.

The list that aimeecc has submitted may not be up to date but the countries on that list (plus many others) either are, or have been "off limits" for Americans by U.S. decree - not by decree of those countries.

[aimeecc]

Originally Posted by Aretha's doctor

Correct.
The list that aimeecc has submitted may not be up to date but the countries on that list (plus many others) either are, or have been "off limits" for Americans by U.S. decree - not by decree of those countries.

As I stated, the only current one is Cuba. I'm sure some of the other countries may have been on the list for short durations. Like when we were bombing them. Not wanting our citizens to be in a country were bombing seems like a normal enough practice. I certainly don't have a problem with that.
Cuba is purely political, and there is a large movement to end the restrictions. You are absolutely free to voice your desire to have this regulation revoked. No one will arrest you or fine you. Since you seem so passionate about these issues, what are you doing to change them? Do you write letters to your Congressman? Do you lobby Congress? How about running for office?
Don't complain about regulations if you do absolutely nothing to try to get them changed.

Originally Posted by aimeecc

Not wanting our citizens to be in a country were bombing seems like a normal enough practice. I certainly don't have a problem with that.

You are certainly over-simplifying the issue. I can assure you of that. In any case, your country REFUSING you to visit a country doesn't really clear your point.

Originally Posted by aimeecc

Cuba is purely political, ......what are you doing to change them? Do you write letters to your Congressman? Do you lobby Congress? How about running for office?
Don't complain about regulations if you do absolutely nothing to try to get them changed.

Congressmen? Regulations? My country has an open political and trade relationship with Cuba. We also have direct charter turists flights to Cuba as well.

[regular.joe]

Originally Posted by Aretha's doctor

Congressmen? Regulations? My country has an open political and trade relationship with Cuba. We also have direct charter turists flights to Cuba as well.

Thaaat's great. I'm happy for ya. Glad it works for ya. You go to Cuba, buy some cigars, have a good time.

You obviously have an axe to grind with the U.S. It's understandable, personally, I don't care. I'm not going to argue about, or defend the U.S. with some foreign national about the policies and actions of the country I'm from. I'm sure you can find lots to talk about. Good and bad.

The question at this point in time with respect to Iraq, is not whether or not we should have gone into Iraq when we did. We are there. The question is if we pull out lock, stock, and barrel right now would that be the best course for Iraq as a whole. There is lots to talk about pro and con on this issue as well.

If you have not visited Iraq, I believe that you do not have anything near a qualified opinion on the issue. That's just my opinion.

I have not been to Israel or Palestine. I do not give my unqualified opinion on the issue.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by regular.joe

Thaaat's great. I'm happy for ya. Glad it works for ya. You go to Cuba, buy some cigars, have a good time.

You obviously have an axe to grind with the U.S. It's understandable, personally, I don't care. I'm not going to argue about, or defend the U.S. with some foreign national about the policies and actions of the country I'm from. I'm sure you can find lots to talk about. Good and bad.

The question at this point in time with respect to Iraq, is not whether or not we should have gone into Iraq when we did. We are there. The question is if we pull out lock, stock, and barrel right now would that be the best course for Iraq as a whole. There is lots to talk about pro and con on this issue as well.

Here, here.

[aimeecc]

Originally Posted by Aretha's doctor

You are certainly over-simplifying the issue. I can assure you of that. In any case, your country REFUSING you to visit a country doesn't really clear your point.
Congressmen? Regulations? My country has an open political and trade relationship with Cuba. We also have direct charter turists flights to Cuba as well.

So why do you have an issue on whether I, as an American, can go to Cuba? As I plainly stated, its the only one currently on the list, and although there have been others, those have all been during hostilities with a small time frame. No, its not over simplifying, I can ASSURE you of that. Its stating the facts. With an average lifespan span of 78 years, and Sudan is on the 'no go' list for a year... I still have like 98% of my life to still go see Sudan. But wait, I've been there, its a shit hole, and I'll never go back. Not sure why any one would want to go unless they have a naive idea that they can make a difference in Darfur. Not particularly interested in going to any of the other nations on the list either, although I've been to a few of them as well.

[glatt]

Sounds like sour grapes to me. That's a poor argument.

I think it would be cool to visit Cuba. It pisses me off that my government won't let me go. Are we free, or not?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Aretha's doctor

My country has an open political and trade relationship with Cuba. We also have direct charter turists flights to Cuba as well.

Great, what country? You still have not told us, but you did remove the little flag avatar by your name. Fill us in here.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

you did remove the little flag avatar by your name. .

Huh? What? Eh? Never had one.