Lift The Embargo Now

Dear Mr. Obama,

During last year's political race, Key West History magazine spoke out, in issue #12, in favor of reopening travel and trade with Cuba­ and in favor of supporting whichever candidate agreed with us. We figured that was you.

During your campaign, you told Cuban-Americans in Miami­ and, by extension, everyone listening­ that your presidency would lift restrictions on family travel and increase the dollar amount on remittances sent to family members there. That's wonderful. Helping families stay close and support one another is a good thing. But, Mr. Obama, there's so much more to do. And we'd appreciate it if you'd listen to a few ideas from the Southernmost City.

Since the earliest days of Key West, relations between our city and the island nation 90 miles directly south of us have been strong. Business and personal connections have been made on both sides of the water that separates us. Cuba maintained a Consulate in Key West­ and, at one time, owned the property on Duval Street where the San Carlos stands. We marched in their parades­ they came over to march in ours. Baseball competitions between the two islands are legendary. Many customs and practices from Cuba have ingrained themselves into the everyday life of each Key Wester­ one only need buy a cup of coffee or order a sandwich in this town to see how true that is.

In 2009, as Key West faces the same economic crunch as the rest of the country, why not free us to turn to the one thing that worked to pull this island city out of the Depression seventy years ago­ Tourism!

Not only will travelers come to Key West and then go on to Cuba, as they did in the day of the Florida East Coast Railway (remember the Havana Special?), but foreign travelers visiting Cuba can easily add a side-trip to Key West onto their itinerary. In a story on Ernest Hemingway featured at explorekeywesthistory.com, we could only dream about the day a traveler might actually be able to visit BOTH tropical Hemingway homes in one trip­ Key West and Finca Viga. In the very near future, this dream could become a reality.

So, let them come. Let everyone interested in visiting Cuba figure out what a wonderful "stopover" or base of operations Key West can be. We've got the beds to hold their heads and the restaurants to feed them. We've got the berths for their boats and the taxis to transport them around the island. Heck, Key West even has its own ferry terminal. Just give the word, Mr. Obama, and we can start processing tickets to Havana tomorrow. Key West is ready to do the work, sir, all you need to do is open the door.