GTMO Bill (Failed)

[Torie]

If this is a suggestion to turn the place back to Cuba, I can't support that.

[Torie]

Well Venezuela is in the neighborhood, and one doesn't know the future of Cuba. There is no reason to give it up.

[Torie]

Well Venezuela is in the neighborhood, and one doesn't know the future of Cuba. There is no reason to give it up.

Atlasia isn't short of territories in the region - e.g. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are both closer to Venezuela. Plus Atlasia itself is hardly all that much further away.

I really don't know how to respond to the statement "one doesn't know the future of Cuba", as it doesn't really say anything at all.

It says that the place is still run by a tyrant, who won't be around much longer, and we don't know where Cuba is headed, and if it goes nutter, it might be useful to have a pad from which to watch and wait, and if need be, to take action. There isn't much cost associated with keeping it, nor much pressure to divest from anyone, and it is better to just leave sleeping dogs lie in my opinion.

[Torie]

Well, as long as needed for a naval station, per my reading it can be used for any purpose, and has been as we know, including as a prison. Having something on the land mass of Cuba might prove useful in ways we cannot foresee. Maybe we can rescue our spies into there from Cuba, or other "assets."  Maybe it is a good place from which to invade, if we have to. I don't know. When in doubt, and the costs are acceptable, keep your options open. That is simply good planning.

[Torie]

The treaty says we keep the land as long as we find it convenient as a naval base or coaling. It does not say that its use is limited to that exclusively.

[Torie]

Article II addresses and grants a limited right of use to the neighborhoods adjacent; it does  not purport to limit the uses of the base itself. Its effect is to create a penumbra of use to the extent necessary to operate a naval and coaling station. I guess the penumbra cannot be used to launch an invasion - or wait, an invasion is designed to penetrate isn't it? 

[Torie]

Nay

[Torie]

Sometimes I feel like  I am the Sandra Day O'Connor of the Senate.

[Torie]

Nay