Numbers Stations

[w1guh]

2. Oil. Cuba has more than 30 producing oil wells. Deposits of oil have also been found off the north shore of the island.

They don't produce 5% of their domestic need, and it's heavy low quality crap like tar.  Useless.

Sounds like good ships fuel. Many oil burning ships, boats, usually (or at tleast used to) burn a very thick tarry oil. Matter of fact it's viscosity was so high that it had to be heated in order to be used, 

They burn asphalt.

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

I heard that they're really good at keeping old cars running...for decades! Should be a car collector's dream if the bodies are in decent shape. And rumors persist that the CIA left behind a pair of KW-1 transmitters, although if true, I doubt there's much left of them. But try to imagine the bragging rights on epay!

Tourism is probably the best bet for Cuba, I agree. As far as drugs, prostitution, etc, Montreal is just a coupla hours up the road and well-known for its drugs, prositutes, stronger beer, and a lower drinking age.

The act of prostitution in Canada is not illegal. But communicating in public for the purpose of prostitution is illegal for customers and prostitutes, as is living off the avails of prostitution.

"MUC police estimate that as many as 3,000 prostitutes operate on Montreal Island. Many work for escort agencies, in bawdy houses and in Massage parlors. Only about one-third are Street walkers."

The local Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers estimates that there approximately 5,000 prostitutes, escorts, strippers, masseuses and phone-sex operators in the Montreal area. Their goal is to have the sex trade subject to the same rights and guidelines as all workers in Quebec.

Just over the border around St Johns and the surounding area in Quebec resides the Hell's Angels big drug operation:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/bikergangs/

According to Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, the Hells Angels is the foremost organized crime group in the country, topping traditional Mafia and ethnic gangs.....The largest and most-feared chapter of the Hells Angels was formed in Montreal....

Seems prescription drugs aren't the only reason to visit Canada.

The plan with China was to entice them into the developed world through trade relations. They're commies for sure, but they disliked and distrusted the Soviets at least as much as we did. China allows much more freedom and capitalism for its people than Cuba does, provided you pay your dues to the red army. They still make me nervous, and I avoid giving them my money if at all possible. Something about selling scrap metal to some country in WWII comes to mind...

I suspect the boycott of Cuba is as much about pride as it is about removing a criminal from power. Let's not forget the millions in US holdings that Fidel 'nationalized'. Why line his pockets any further?

Now, it'd be different if we could have the "All Cuba Sweeptakes and Corntest"...

[John Holotko]

So, what's so special about Cuba?

Cuba could be a good marketplace for U.S. goods and services. Havana and all of Cuba's other cities are shabby and run down. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sherwin-Williams alone could make a killing there.

That's exactly the point I was trying to make. The goal of most  businesses interested in lifting the embargo  lies not so much in importing sugar cane, cigars, and mangoes from Cuba but in exporting American goods and services to Cuba.

Now...if their government would stop micromanaging the economy. That's what plunged the island into poverty and destroyed Cuba's agricultural productivity. The U.S. embargo had nothing to do with that, as there are plenty of other countries that do trade with Cuba (e.g., Canada).

I absolutely agree. Castro, or whomever runs Cuba afterwards needs to lighten up and adopt a more feasable economic policy.

 

If and when the Cuban government does change, I would LOVE to work at that 150-300 kW AM transmitter site in Bauta! AM radio on steroids...I love it! John (W3JN): Maybe we could be neighbors if the State Department sends you there again? 

I wouldn't mind taking on some IT projects over there if the embargo were lifted. Just imagine with you running the radio stations and with John/W3JN doinmg his Statre dept. work and with me handling the Information technologies we'd  have that  country running like a fine Swiss watch.

[WA3VJB]

After the Castros leave, Cuba will be a prime market for the export of American collector cars, many of which feature large ash trays and cigar lighters.

[The Slab Bacon]

2. Oil. Cuba has more than 30 producing oil wells. Deposits of oil have also been found off the north shore of the island.

They don't produce 5% of their domestic need, and it's heavy low quality crap like tar.  Useless.

Sounds like good ships fuel. Many oil burning ships, boats, usually (or at tleast used to) burn a very thick tarry oil. Matter of fact it's viscosity was so high that it had to be heated in order to be used, 

They burn asphalt.

Actually it is called "bunker oil" or "bunker fuel" its nasty schtuff!

[W3SLK]

Frank said:

Actually it is called "bunker oil" or "bunker fuel" its nasty schtuff!

In the Navy it was refer to as DFM, Diesel Fuel Marine.

[k4kyv]

I remember once, years ago, taking a Greyhound bus from Quebec City to Boston.  The bus stopped at the border for customs check.  The agents didn't bother to go through everyone's luggage, but each passenger was briefly interrogated and passports/ other indentification were checked.  One man had a Cuban cigar that he had purchased in Canada in his shirt pocket.  The customs agent confiscated it.

[w3jn]

I heard that they're really good at keeping old cars running...for decades! Should be a car collector's dream if the bodies are in decent shape. And rumors persist that the CIA left behind a pair of KW-1 transmitters, although if true, I doubt there's much left of them. But try to imagine the bragging rights on epay!

Unfortunately those cars have been in daily use for 50-60-70 years, and are rolling junk heaps patched together with parts from Russian trucks and shadetree welding shops.  There are a few (*very* few) nice cars there, but none I saw are particularly desireable.  A lot of early 50's Chrysler products, because the Russian trucks used a copy of the Chrsyuler flathead 6.  All of which were fairly ugly...

I suspect the boycott of Cuba is as much about pride as it is about removing a criminal from power. Let's not forget the millions in US holdings that Fidel 'nationalized'. Why line his pockets any further?

Todd, that's the crux of our Cuba policy in a nutshell.  Mixed with many voters who staunchly support this policy.

[k4kyv]

Remember a few years ago some refugees were caught trying make it to Florida in boats that were actually converted automobiles?  I saw a photo of one.  It looked pretty cool.

I understand the coast guard scuttled those crafts once the occupants were pulled off board.  What a shame. They should  have towed them to shore.  Think what museum pieces they would have made.  Or better still, what one would have brought on e-Pay.  It took some ingenuity to make a seaworthy craft out of an ancient Chevy.  They could have auctioned those things off and reduced the national debt just a hair.