Why does Matt Laur get to visit Cuba but I can't?

Our friends from Canada go frequently and LOVE it. Matt Laur (and the rest of the Today Show pukes) are going to be live from Havana tomorrow.

They are going to show me a place where I am not "allowed" to travel.

What the hell is up with THAT?

:grr:

<snip>

It is legal for Americans to go to Cuba.
It is illegal for American to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba under most circumstances.
It is legal for American to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba if they have a "license", but the government is arbitrary about how it interprets its rule and who it issues licenses to.

If you are a journalists, government officials, have relatives in Cuba, are a full-time professionals (including doctors, dental hygienists, environmentalists and actors) going to conferences or doing research, you might be able to go to Cuba, under a "General License" -- with no red tape.

<snip>

http://www.ibike.org/cuba/ofac/cuba-travelto.htm

I have a friend in Canada who is a cigar smoker. He flies to Cuba a couple times a year for cigars; the VATs on Canadian products are so high, it's cheaper for him to fly there and buy then it is at home. Go figure.

and Communist Vietnam but not Communist Cuba...

Because of the Cuban-American voting block in Florida. :grr:

It's as simple as that.

:rofl:

Isn't the government having a fit because Michael Moore went to get health services for sick 9/11 area workers. What's going on....did that suck up interview old Matt gave bush an invite.

:shrug:

No matter how you get there, it's still illegal. (Actually, technically, I believe that it is illegal to spend any money in the country. Which is all but impossible if you visit.)

for Sicko.