DAVE ROSS

Beyonce sneaks into Cuba

Apr 8, 2013, 5:36 AM | Updated: 7:32 am

...

I noticed that two members of Congress from Florida decided to snitch on Beyonce and Jay-Z for their visit to Havana last week.

The U.S. Treasury, you see, has rules for Americans visiting Cuba.

My wife and I visited Cuba on one of these trips last month, so I can tell you what those rules involve.

You board an unmarked 737 from a special terminal at the Miami Airport, fly to Havana, and get on a tourist bus with a guide who makes sure that even if your hotel is on a gorgeous Caribbean beach with white sand and turquoise waters, and even if strolling guitarists want to serenade your wife with Beatles’ tunes, you must spend the day on what are called “people-to-people” visits to schools, museums and art galleries.

Which was actually fine because we got to see a jazz combo at the music school, a chamber orchestra at the museum, and at the art gallery, we got into a discussion with an artist about freedom.

“We’re free,” said a woman.

“We have many troubles, I’d say, before. But I feel free,” said a man.

“I feel free to do whatever I want. We’re not leaving good,” the woman said.

We saw first-hand that Cubans can buy only government newspapers, and start only the smallest of home businesses, and saw that while schools and health care are free, most people live way below what Americans would consider poverty.

But I have to admit I felt a little silly asking them if they were free – knowing I was on a trip where my own government dictated where I could go.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

4 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

11 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Beyonce sneaks into Cuba