Well, the Cuban Music story is pretty complex and Willy Chirino notwithsanding, Louis Head has been actively promoting cultural exchanges with Cuba since before the Bush Administration. Willy might have been born there (like you, Rick), but Louis has been there recently. He often says that you have to distinguish between the Cuban government and the Cuban people, and that distinction is valid insofar as other nationalities distinguish between the American government and the American people. We are not supporting the Cuban government with cultural exchange any more than someone in Cuba is supporting the United States by listening to the NY Philharmonic.

Now Rick, I can imagine where your sympathies lie (I may be wrong) but don't give short shrift to artistic exchanges between countries. As you may recall, that was one of the first things that the US and China did prior to opening relations. It is a long-standing tradition and something that will only help the Cuban people.

PS – If my name sounds familiar, it is because I am Louis Head's brother.

It is wrong! The cuban people need freedom from oppression, they need human rights, the communist experiment has failed throughout the world and Cuba refuses to acknowledge this fact. They are punished for not participating in the government's rhetoric, there is no freedom of anything. This concert is not about cultural exchange, it is about legitimizing the cuban government and it is wrong! The world needs to see the ration cards, how they are collected when they are forced to go to government functions. If you fail to go, you do not get food for your family and God only knows what else they do to you. I lived it as a child, my father was forced to work in concentration camps cutting cane for free just for a chance to escape the tyranny and I will be forever grateful to my parents for getting me the heck out of there. I left when I was eight years old, I was serving in the U.S. Navy when I turned seventeen and was denied serving in Cuba due to my intense hate of Fidel Castro. The Navy was wise in denying me those orders, I would have been a voice for all Cubans and it was not my place as a corpsman. No concert without freedom and Human rights!

ican remember when castro went into havana kiked out the american puppet battista and the mafia went to the usa for aid and was turned down i don,t think he was a cummunist at that time i was young and didn,t understand why they did that now i know it was greed the backbone of america though in my lifetime america would change i guess i am wrong cia is in columbia stirring up trouble for there next oil war hope that guy has his concert the last 60 years hasn,t worked

luie if communism has failed how come china is bank rolling the usa without it america would be bankrupt why are your stores full of communist goods like the the ones in your house

I wish we were free to travel to Cuba to hear this concert. Thank you for at least letting us know about it! What a good time will be had by all. The Cubans really know how to do celebrate with music.

I'm on the fence on this one. I feel for the Cuban people in Cuba in so many ways. Maybe, a little music will fill their hearts and make them forget their trouble's at least for a while. Put yourselves in their shoe's I think you might agree.

Rick, thanks for always bringing a cool demeanor to a hot issue. This silliness in Miami (where I live) has to stop. There must be and will be discussions, travel and cultural exchanges between Cuba and the US. The exile community finally irritated me so much with their intransigence that I'm voting with my feet. I made my reservations to go to Havana thru a third country) and be there for the Juanes concert – and I'm not asking anybody's permission! See you in Havana.

Looks like the dems just keep getting let down after let down. What's gonna happen with health care! Who cares get rid of it. What will they call it now? Health Teddy care! Please!!!

enjoy your conversation everyday. About healthcare. I have been in favor or universal health care since 1950. I heard a politican on TV screaming "who is going to pay for it and how are we going to do it." He should stop saving time and money. Copy other nations how they deal with it. They have been with it for 30 years and very few complaints. Yes, we should improve our relations with Cuba. They cannot hurt us. People are posses by fear. I don't have any questions - only solutions.

The distinction between the cuban people and the governement is naive at best. The island Cuba functions as a giant prison. NOTHING happens there without the approval of the Castro regime, much less a major, multi-artist concert. Juanes is not naive, he sympathizes with the regime. This is Juanes in a Mexican newspaper interview:
"One thing is populism, and another thing is intelligence. The speeches given by Che Guevara at the UN were indeed a thing of beauty, or the lucidity in which Fidel Castro can talk for five hours."
Also:
Juanes feels honored to sing at a tribute to Salvador Allende
The singer says that music serves as an antidote against forgetting history because it can touch the inner being of the people much better than political discourse

The Colombian singer declared that he was "honored" to participate in "100-years, 1000-dreams," the double concert in honor and tribute to Salvador Allende's 100th birthday, which will take place November 7th and 8th at the National Stadium..
These are not true cultural exchanges as the cuban government willl dictate who can or cannot play, or indeed, attend.

I would remind people that Reagan in spite of claims to the contrary didn't cause the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. The microwave did. The more the Cuban people see the rewards of freedom the freer they will want to be. Fifty years of his oppresion and brutality have not pushed Fidel out. Perhaps a 2 hour concert by a free Latino will. The most effective embargo will be the one that shows the Cuban people how a free, capitalist society florishes and not a censored , punitive regime.

Willy who?

I am an American folk, jazz and blues singer with roots on both sides of my family going back to the earliest days of European settlement on this continent. In 1966 I was privileged to be the first US singer invited to tour Cuba, and was even given a whole Saturday night on national TV for my concert at the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Theater. I have been invited back many times over the years, always treated with respect and immense kindness.

My objective in singing there was to bring a message of peace and our kinship with the Cuban people. Willy Chirino, by contrast, appears to have a different message, designed to criticize, defame and destabilize his listeners' way of life. I ask the question: why would someone invite a person into their home to meet their family knowing that he does not respect that home and would bring discomfort and dishonor to that family?

Many singers from the US have performed in Cuba to great acclaim over the years since my visit, receiving huge exposure on TV, radio and concert stage. It seems the Chirinos of music are not as welcome in Cuba– or anywhere– as those who would bring love and open hearts, a mission to learn as well as teach about humanity's common goals of peace and justice, a willingness to discard that which would divide us and an enduring belief that "we are the world."

Oh Rick,
I am so very very sick to have heard both your stories this afternoon. First of all..how in the Heck can this person call himself a pastor. I am absolutely appauled that someone who claims to be of the cloth can give such a"sermon". I am very very frightened to live here in the US. I certainly hope the CIA and FBI are thouroughly investigating this character and will stop him from giving such sermons ever again. You never can tell how sermons such as these will effect people and what they will do after listening to them. Help this is quite frightening if done in Az where else are sermons such as these being held. Come on we are in the 21st century and should be living as such. Growing uup in the 60's I am trying my damndest to live my life and raise my girls with out predjudice. God please help us all.

"The whole country must ask itself just what is really, fundamentally going wrong."

Why doesn't the IRS take away the tax deductible status of that Baptist Church? They go after mainline Episcopal churches but not hate mongers like this pastor?? Forget the Secret Service. IRS is the way to go

Watching the case of JayCee's kidnapping... Can anyone think of a reason why we should not execute this guy (and possibley his wife) right now... These people are not cured! If we executed him today it would have been at least 18 years too late.

Would like to expose Steven Anderson, can not use Pastor to one that hates as he does. Steven is a liar when he boasts being PRO LIFE, he as the others on the right wing, are SELECT LIFE. They want to spare the child today, but reserve the right to kill him later by use of the death penalty. He truly believes that all life isn't worthy. Pro Life means that all life is precious, not just the life's they select to live. Abortion is legal, change the law, admit to being Selective Life, and put hate behind you, that's what Jesus would do.

Willy Chirino is self-serving flops sides when it's convenient. Ask him about the time he performed live with one of Cuba's greatest bands, Los Van Van. Ask him who got him started in Miami, and the times at the old Pegliacci Restuarant on Miami Beach. Yet he couldn't wait to bury Maestro Fajardo, it's just as well he nor Gloria Fajardo would come to the funeral anyway...

Rick, you gave false information on this program regarding calling it a "multimillion dollar" concert helping Castro. Juanes paid out of his own pocket to be there. Please stop using CNN for propaganda to restrict cultural exchange between the US and Cuba.

Yep, we sold out the country to communist china, we bargain with the commies on a grand scale, but Cuba is the real communist devil who, if not kept in cheque by our embargo, will certainly overrun the world.

What the heck did that embargo do in nearly 50 years? Did it bring down the communist regime in cuba? The soviet union went down the drain and we dealt with them, but cuba is still there despite the embargo. Maybe the bay of pigs wasn't Kennedy's only screwup.

Rick,
I am a white american and i know Obama has not created any problem so far, rather he has been dealing with the ones he inherited.
This is my take on the pastor and indeed most people attacking the president. it has nothing to do with religion, politics or ideals. its all about race.
the right wing would still criticize him even if he were white but somethings would not have been said.
Paul

WHO IS WILLY CHIRINO? IS HE A LOCAL MIAMI FOLK MUSICIAN?

I've been going to Cuba every year for about 10 years, legally. The Cuban Nationals are wonderful people that deserve better. End the embargo and it will lead to a better live for these people. The Cuban embargo is absurd. Cuba is not a dangerous enemy. It seems to me the reason we still have this antiquated failing policy is strictly politics. The Cubans of Florida want it, politicians want their vote so they support it. As a result, the overwhelming majority of the US population who want to end the embargo are being held hostage by this small group in Florida. The embargo gives legitimacy to Fidel. End the embargo, end his power and the people will make the changes that politicians have failed to do for 40 years.

Rick;

i love u as a reporter and a Cuban like myself. Rick the interview u gave with Gov Richardson was on the one. i watched your face and body language and found you open to the suggestions made by Gov Richardson. However, as a Cuban who is a bit older than you are i remember how it was during the hey day of El Lindo Mulatto.

Now hold it rick!! i am not bashing you but as someone who has lived in Cuba withing the last 10 yrs i know that some of the people in jail in Cuba are not always political prisoners but rather those who use and have used in the past this position for political reasons..EXAMPLE RICK...My lousy cousin called "Antunez the little NOT!! Mandela..That is another story..

Like u Rick i am fortunate to have been able to leave and send $ back to help so many in need but we must be fair, the US should not continue to demand who comes and goes not knowing what or who la policia has had to restrain. On the other hand we all know about our five brothers in prison in the US for political reasons, who also in my opinion should be freed.
Rick what i am saying is that this dialo has to be fair..Cuba is my country, your country and we have a right to be able to travel to and fro and Cubans as well as others should have the same right..with RULES>>Rick regardless of how we fell Cuba is a sovereign nation just like the US.

PS Also Rick, go see your family, it will be hard but this you must do.
To who much is given much is required

Time for USA to normalize relations with a country 90 miles away. Cuba has never been and will never be an agressor against the USA. It's absolutely political pandering to the old, snaggle tooth Miami Cubans that think they're going to get back their Havana property if they starve out Cuba with a 50 year old embargo. Ludacris, stupid, ignorant policy. TS

Can anyone tell me why we refuse to trade with Cuba, long after the Soviet Union's disappearance, but do billions of dollars of trade with China? Is China doing any less evil in Tibet than Cuba is doing today, and if so, are we betraying our values by buying cheap imports from one Communist nation while boycotting another?

Who picked the books President Bush was reading to school children September 11, 2001?

It's ninety miles away and it's long overduefor us to have diplomatic relations with Cuba. I think it benefits all of us. We have to look to the future; how long can Raul and Fidel live after all. And I want to visit Cuba before I die. So a concert, please, let's have it.

RICK SANCHEZ, GRATURATED FROM HIALEAH HIGH SCHOOL AND KNOWING YOU FROM 29TH STREET. WE HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU AND I CAN' T BELIEVE THAT THE UNITED STATES HAVE LOST SO MUCH RESPECT TO THIS COUNTRY TO SEE A COMMUNIST SEEN VIA SATELLITE. I WAS BORN AND RAISE IN THIS COUNTR AND MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 54 YEARS AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE A PENNY TO REGIMEN, WHERE IS THIS COUNTRY COMING TO QUESTIONS ARE ASKED. FEEL SOORY FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS A SOCIALISM GET READY U.S. WE LOVE YOU RICK HIALEAH FLORIDA