Southwinds Sailing June 2004 - Southwinds Magazine

LETTERS Continued from page 10editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.comPO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705about the final hours before the race of 2003.SignedA sad sailorName withheld for fear of government reprisalSad,We are planning to continue bringing updates on the Cuba situationand Peter Goldsmith’s dealings with the U.S. government.Please take a look at Morgan Stinemetz’s article in this issue on hisrecent sail to Cuba (he went under permit from OFAC as a journalistin April). It is interesting reading on the logistics of making thecrossing by sailboat and his experiences in Cuba.Unfortunately, the current administration has recently tightenedtravel restrictions to Cuba for Americans and their freedom tospend their money there. I guess Bush thinks the money doesn’tbelong to the people who earned it, although I swear he said somethingcontrary to that about taxes.EditorCUBAN DICTATORSHIP CONTINUESWhen you so often and so eloquently call for normal relationswith the country 90 miles from here, do you keep inmind that it is the longest-lasting dictatorship in the WesternWorld? Are you aware and willing to make your readers awarethat in Cuba there are hundreds of jailed and persecuted politicalprisoners? While you guys party, the Communist Partythere ruins lives with impunity.Think about that when you want to advocate business asusual...Sincerely,Frank ResillezFrank,I just don’t believe embargoes work. In my opinion, open movementbetween peoples is the best way for democracies to evolve and emerge,and one of the best ways for that to happen is through trade, besidesinteraction in other areas such as education, tourism, etc. Peopletalk and interact, and I believe this will bring about change in theCuban system of government faster than anything else. I believethat embargoes are at the bottom of the list in terms of change andthe top of the list in maintaining the status quo.Besides, Cuba is the biggest island in the Caribbean, and a lotof people want to sail there. They have a right to, and this is a sailingmagazine.EditorBOAT SCAM RESPONSEThe inquiry to purchase a boat unseen by a foreigner is usuallya scam. What often happens is he sends a cashier’s checkfor a greater amount and asks you to wire the difference tohis account. You think you have a good deal, but the checktakes about two weeks to be discovered counterfeit, and youhave already sent the difference. The bank charges back thetotal amount from you, and you are out the money forwardedto the account (which is usually overseas). Also, no one showsup to pick up the boat/car/property deed.The criminals involved in this are often associated withthe “poor souls” who have lost their royal family memberand want to trust you, a “friend” they never met, with depos-See LETTERS continued on page 14NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS SOUTHWINDS June 2004 13