The Current Discussion: The U.S. will lift travel restrictions on Cuba, but leave the larger trade embargo in place. Is that a smart move? Does it go far enough? Too far?

ALL trade restrictions and embargoes are ridiculous, as is the belief that they can weaken a state or a country. Such actions add further misery to the lives of Cubans (and other poor people in question in the world), but won't hurt their governments and politicians. Embargoes are simply good pretexts for a country's leaders to increase military spending.

If the U.S. is really interested in establishing democratic institutions in Cuba and elsewhere, forget the restrictions and the embargoes right away. And, let the people - any people - visit their relatives and come and go as they like.