A summary of diplomatic achievements on Dec. 17

2014-12-18T08:09:32-05:00

In 140 characters or less, this tweet sums up yesterday's diplomatic activities:

"Ronald Reagan must be rolling in his grave today. Two Communist regimes appeased in less than one day by USA."

I can't take credit...but we can connect: @JStrickland_PS

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 8:39 AM

2014-12-18T08:39:04-05:00

In the administration's defense, Sony appeased North Korea. No doubt because the hack acquired something epic. Maybe it is really embarrasing to Sony Executives. Maybe they got digital copies of upcoming films, which if released on the internet would cost the company billions. I don't know but it highlights a cyber warfare capability that we can't ignore.

As for Cuba, the Castro brothers' days are numbered. At some point, you have to look to the future and figure out if we are going to just stay enemies forever or give it a shot. It worked with Vietnam a few years back. I definitely think that the Cubans got something for nothing, though. Easing the embargo with little or nothing in the way of concessions just gives the Castros what they have always wanted. We could have done better.

Now we'll see how Iran goes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 9:41 AM

2014-12-18T09:41:31-05:00

Totally ridiculous and shameless. I do partially agree with 1SG Private RallyPoint Member's assessment it was Sony who acquiesced to North Korea but the government is always still involved. Did someone forget the Constitution? Not you though, 1SG Healy, just a generality. I can't say as to what was acquired by NK but if it's digital copies of upcoming films then it does bring up the intellectual property issue as well as internet security. This should be a very alarming concern for all since many in the country, let alone the world, still have the poor mindset of getting something for nothing, especially by stealing it. Sadly, this will go on until people decide to stop thinking of themselves and expand their scope.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Dec 18 at 2014 10:36 AM

2014-12-18T10:36:44-05:00

Interesting dialogue going on about this topic! Thanks for your contributions LTC Private RallyPoint Member, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, SSgt Nicholas Sherwood, SSG Tim Everett, and SSG Private RallyPoint Member.
I had hoped Dennis Rodman was a RallyPoint member so he could give his two cents!! However when I put the "@" symbol, his name didn't appear...I digress.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 10:52 AM

2014-12-18T10:52:35-05:00

Great tweet!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 11:00 AM

2014-12-18T11:00:29-05:00

I'm not sure exactly how the NK "incident" was a diplomatic activity... but as far as Cuba is concerned, it's long overdue.

Namely, the fact that Cuba has a far superior healthcare system should make reducing travel restrictions beneficial for U.S. citizens, as well as lessening the trade restrictions.

There are those who object just from the premise that "Communism/Socialism" (without knowing the difference between the two) are four-letter words... but lets be honest: if the U.S. only dealt with "good countries", we'd have no one to talk to.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Dec 19 at 2014 12:18 PM

2014-12-19T12:18:03-05:00

I don't quite characterize the two events the way that you do.

As far as the JAPANESE company agreeing to withdraw a film that treats the assassination of the head of an independent and sovereign state as a comedy is concerned, what would you feel if some other country made a comedy about the assassination of the President of the United States of America? [Besides, Sony couldn't BUY the amount of publicity for the film that it is getting for free.]

As far as ending the "isolation" of Cuba is concerned, why not? It simply hasn't worked and it isn't going to work. Americans who have wanted to go to Cuba have been able to do so right from the beginning and it has only become more and more easy under EVERY American President to do so.

Remember that the definition of "crazy" is - "Continuing to do the same thing over and over in the expectation that it will eventually produce a different result.".

Admittedly there really should be some discussions with the Cuban government to ensure that the Mafia gets back all their property (and the income lost due to the fact that it was the Cuban government's fault that the US government made it difficult for Americans to get directly to Cuba).