Final-F*cking-Lutely: US to Normalize Diplomatic Relations With Cuba

You heard right, folks. Following 18 months of secret negotiations, Obama has announced, “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries.”

Pope Francis was involved.

Cuba will release 53 political prisoners to the U.S.

Everyone’s immediate reaction? It’s about damn time!

To say this is huge would be the understatement of the year.

This is massive. This is hugely massive. This is the first real step towards a rational relationship with Cuba in half a century.

Say it with me: Finally. F*cking absolutely. It’s about damn time.

As for anyone against this, what he said (via Reddit):

“Really? As a kid who grew up in the 90’s, it has always seemed like a no-brainer and HUGE political win for anyone who did it.

I don’t think I’ve ever talked to someone near my age (late 20’s) who saw any good reason to continue our illogical Cuban policy, besides losing a few votes to Cuban-Americans.”

In his announcement, Obama also says, “Change is hard, in our own lives, and in the lives of our nations. Change is even harder when we carry the heavy weight of history on our shoulders. But today we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do.”

It’s rare to hear a statement like that from a national leader. I am doing this because it is right. It is a beautiful thing to see on national television. That is mindful politics right there– no joke.

Reactions on Reddit are varied, from nonchalant,

“I always wanted to visit Cuba. I hear it’s a beautiful country,”

to cynical,

“US car companies are going to love this!”

to skeptical,

“I wonder how much of this is driven by Russia’s reckless behavior lately and the U.S. considering moving nuclear warheads to Europe. The U.S. wants to mend relationships with the country on the U.S. doorstep that could easily align with Russia and I doubt we want to go back down that path again,”

to downright triumphant (the vast majority):

“It’s about damn time.”

What’s more, embargoes will be lifted… Well, maybe, “after an honest and serious debate.” So there’s room for improvement, and there always will be.

But can you say it with me again? Finally! F*ck yes! It’s about damn time.

This is huge for so many reasons. But the biggest one, in my opinion, is that the U.S. is finally, belatedly letting go of Cold War grudges and behaving according to reality, not fear.

Fear of communism. Fear of change? Fear of appearing un-American, perhaps? Replaced by economic and political realities that render anything but the steps taken today utterly illogical.

We have clung to what used to work. To outdated diplomatic policies that harken back to a time when we could still bully our way through King of the Hill and make all the other kids in the playground do what we said. A time when we could hold grudges for 50 years without contention. It doesn’t work anymore. It doesn’t make sense. Many Americans, I think, are nonetheless afraid.

But today, we are changing, “because it is the right thing to do.”

Final-f*cking-lutely!

 

 

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Author: Toby Israel 

Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: screenshot from Youtube video