Saturday, January 15, 2011

Obama eases Cuba travel restrictions #p2

http://www.openleft.com/diary/21416/obama-eases-cuba-travel-restrictions

Not sure why this isn't bigger news:

The president said he had instructed the relevant government departments to allow religious groups and students to travel to the communist-run island.
[...]
The rules will be modified to, among other things:

   * Allow religious organisation to sponsor religious travel to Cuba under a general licence
   * Allow accredited institutions of higher education to sponsor travel to Cuba
   * Allow any US person to send remittances (up to $500 per quarter) to non-family members in Cuba to support private economic activity
   * Allow remittances to be sent to religious institutions in Cuba in support of religious activities
   * Allow US airports to apply to provide services to licensed charters

It's certainly incremental, and the emphasis on special rules for religious groups isn't something I'm huge on though I suspect that is an attempt to triangulate against a right wing freak out.  

At least it's a step in the right direction.  Trade restrictions are one thing, but I can't understand how travel restrictions of any kind could ever be Constitutional nor even morally justified in a free society.  

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