Right time to make up with Cuba? #tellusatoday

President Obama announced on Wednesday that the United States will re-establish relations with Cuba. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Normalizing relations with Cuba is long overdue. We've applied the stick approach for over 50 years, and it hasn't worked. Time to try the carrot.

— Rich Barnes

Fidel and Raul Castro are almost fossils. The time for normalizing relations is after they have died. Then the U.S. could negotiate with a new generation of Cuban leaders, not the two men responsible for so much turmoil and human misery in Cuba. Anyone who thinks that the conditions in Cuba exist because of the U.S. embargo has bought the propaganda of the Castros, who have used the U.S. as a scapegoat for the failure of Marxism.

— Peter Rodriguez

Has the embargo worked in forcing out the Castro regime? No. But now you're going to open up millions in U.S. tourist dollars to said regime, giving it more legitimacy. China has shown that engagement is still not successful for promoting democracy.

— Matthew Kilburn

Letter to the editor:

Upon hearing the news about President Obama's actions with Cuba, I am elated. On a humanitarian level, the embargo on Cuba has never made sense to me. Why punish a country's people because of the actions of one person?

I honor our president who has the understanding and courage to help correct the atrocities we have contributed to our island neighbor, by way of an embargo.

I have seen the poor and hungry people in Cuba, and when I look at some of our top Republican leaders who vowed to fight against our president, no matter what he attempts to do in office, I wonder how many nights they have gone to bed hungry by no fault of their own.

I have very little doubt that if Obama were white, he would be applauded as one of the greatest presidents of all time because of his ability to do what is right, and not what the politicians say he should do.

Ed Breeding; Las Cruces, N.M.

We asked our followers what they thought of President Obama's move to normalize ties with Cuba. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

It is a sensible and needed action if conducted in small, thought-out steps. Bravo to Obama.

— @optimama1957

Until Cubans are free, there is no reason to favor the dictator in charge.

— @VicClark2

This is a step in the right direction. The policy has failed for 50 years. Lift the embargo and exchange ideas.

— @nyyankknicgiant

I've always wanted to visit because I hear it's gorgeous. I hope democracy can also be achieved.

— @Myka234

You don't make deals with dictators. That is common sense.

— @Williams01Dave

Obama has taken the first step toward new relations and a partnership with Cuba, which hopefully will lead to the freedom of Cubans.

— @NewsOfMideast

Viva! May Cuba go back to her former glory and become the jewel of the Caribbean once again!

— @UtahPigBus

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.