Vermont Department of Education (former)
Former Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Education; native of Cuba, he has served as a government liaison to introduce Cubans to Vermont agricultural products
PROFILE
Armando Vilaseca
Guest
FROM Armando Vilaseca
To the Point
Obama "Buries the Cold War" in Cuba President Obama made a historic speech direct to the Cuban people today, peppered with Spanish phrases. He told them that the Castro regime has nothing to fear from the United States any more. But there were also strong words from the President, decades after Fidel Castro's communist revolution and the stationing of Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba – and America's economic embargo on the island nation is still in effect. We hear about high hopes and political realities.
Which Way, L.A.?
Barack Obama and Fidel Castro's Cuba For the first time since 2006, American officials met yesterday with Fidel Castro in Cuba. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus visited what they described as Castro’s “modest” house and reported that he was healthy and talkative as ever. Democrat Barbara Lee of California said it’s time for a change. Even some Republicans want relations improved. They and other critics say US policy has been held hostage by Cuban-Americans in Florida, and has failed to get a repressive country to change its ways. Is it the US rather than Cuba that's being isolated from the rest of the world? Can the President act without the approval of Congress, presuming he wants to?
To the Point
Barack Obama and Fidel Castro's Cuba For the first time since 2006, American officials met yesterday with Fidel Castro in Cuba. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus reported that he was healthy and talkative as ever. Because it’s not a democracy, Cuba won’t be at next week’s Summit of the Americas , but other nations will want to know how much President Obama will change US policy. There won’t be an end to the 47-year old trade embargo, but other restrictions might be lifted. Even some Republicans want relations improved. They and other critics say US policy has been held hostage by Cuban-Americans in Florida, and has failed to get a repressive country to change its ways. Is it the US rather than Cuba that’s being isolated from the rest of the world? Can the President act without the approval of Congress, presuming he wants to?
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To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.