Cuba Libre!!!!

Funny thing is, Cuba Libre's are actually (rum and coke) in Chile.

Anyway, here is a link to the article in BBC if you haven't already read it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americans/7252109.stm

My take:
Not necessarily a very good thing. Raul is already good buddies with Chavez (Hugo made sure of that when little bro took over Cuba after Fidel got sick) which probably won't do much positively for Cuba. Granted, the Assemblia Nacional still must elect the next president, polls show that Raul will most likely be the man and this will lead to a following in Fidel's footsteps.

What can the U.S. do to stop a socialist government from continuing just 90 miles south of Miami? Probably nothing.  As much pressure as we put on Cuba to have democratic elections and reform their system of government, Chavez will likely apply an equal amount of pressure to maintain his strong ties with one of his best governmental allies in the western hemisphere. (Once again, we end up with Raul who is already favored if not technically in office just not publicly.)
Thus, we are left with a prime example of people needing to help themselves. If the Cuban public doesn't scream out in the streets for democracy probably nothing will happen. They need a model of prosperity to follow. Cubans need to know how they can benefit and resurrect a failing economy.
I personally think tourism alone would skyrocket in Cuba as it did pre-comunist days as a gambling/resort oriented country, but that's just me.
Any thoughts on what's to become of Cuba? With no significant change in political structure, with the United States' stance towards Cuba change?  Likely not, but time will tell.
This news should insight tons of thought on the future of our hemisphere. One of the longest reigning dictators in history officially resigned!! That's huge!! Especially so close to the leading proponent of democracy in the world.

(Aside, will Cuba show up as a topic during presidential race of 2008?)

Happy thinking on this one.

Andrew

New Study Abroad Program!

The ILS is proud to announce that MCSOL (through the hard work of Prof. Bowman) has established a 2008 summer law study abroad program to Seoul, South Korea.  The program will be about 3 weeks long from June 14 - July 4.  As of right now, 3 classes will be offered including International Business Transactions, Comparative Corporate Law and National Security Law.  The school has received tentative approval through the ABA and should receive final approval by April 1.  For this summer, the program will only be open to MSCOL students, but if the program goes well, we hope to open it for all law students next summer.  

What Effect Does the Capture of Chinese Spies on American Soil Have on U.S./China Relations?

This blog, http://www.djacobsonlaw.com, has an interesting post about four individuals who were arrested by the Justice Department for spying and giving classified national defense information to China.  Two of the men are businessmen from New Orleans and the other is from Arlington, VA.  One other individual from California that had worked for Boeing and NASA was arrested.  Obviously, this is bad for those individuals--you don't get arrested for spying unless there is a large amount of evidence.  Apparently these guys have been passing confidential info to the PRC for about two years.

My question is: What effect does this have on U.S. and China relations?  Will the U.S. government do anything formally to China?  Will they just gripe, complain and make a media circus but then move on because we all know that spying is inevitable?  I was just curious if anyone knew.  

Andy Thomas

NFL and international trade . . . perhaps not as unlikely as it sounds.

As I was watching the Superbowl last night, I was thinking about how it, the legendary American Football Championship game, might be connected to International Trade.  I, along with the other International Law Society officers, am taking an International Trade Regulation class this semester.  The more and more I read, the more I understand how everything we touch on a daily basis probably came from another country.  So I was thinking as I watched the game, how could the NFL be connected to international trade.  On its face, it really is not.  American football is just that, American football.  No other country, except for maybe a few folks in Canada and some loners in Europe even care about American football.  The rest of the world only focuses on soccer (better known outside of the U.S. as the "real" football).  

Then I did  a little research.  It turns out that the Superbowl does have a little something to do with international trade.  Have you ever wondered what happens to all of those championship hats and t-shirts that are printed for the team that ends up losing?  Well, you do not have to wonder any longer . . . they end up in the hands of kids in Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, etc.  Yep, the NFL has a partnership with World Vision, a global relief organization, in which the losing team's championship apparel gets shipped off to kids in other countries.  So if you ever think that no one outside of America cares about the NFL, think again.  Those little kids in central and south America getting the clothes sure love the NFL, even if they do not know what it stands for.  

See http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1071250 for more information.

By: Andy Thomas