U.S. law lets American citizens travel to any country on earth, friend or foe -- with one exception: Cuba. It's time for us to scrap this anachronistic ban, imposed during one of the chilliest periods of the Cold War....Allow me to sign on completely to everything written in this op-ed, but especially that last part. For me, the most offensive part of the Cuba travel ban has nothing to do with Cuba policy and everything to do with my right as a US citizen to travel wherever I want without US government interference. I agree that lifting the bad will bring additional benefits to US-Cuba relations, but even if the effects were all negative, I'd still support lifting the ban simply because I find it undemocratic.
...Finally, while travel restrictions are contrary to our foreign policy interests, they also impede the right of Americans to freedom of speech, association and to travel.
The hearing on the travel ban is being held today and the vote in the full House will be close. Some 50 Democrats have signed a letter supporting the ban while a handful of Republicans will buck their party in favor of eliminating it.
As long as I'm on the subject of Cuba, HRW has a new report out on repression of democracy and human rights under Raul Castro. It's an ugly situation.
UPDATE: President Obama responds to questions about US policy from Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez (Spanish, English). Nothing ground-breaking, but still pretty cool.
