Why in world didn't President Obama tell his staff to keep him away from Hugo Chavez? He gonna take some hits for this one. H*ll, he under the microscope anyway - but a picture with a man who throws ridiculous insults and who is seen by many as a lunatic. Not that I agree. Actually, when Chavez is not spitting fire he has legitimate criticism of the GREAT UNITED STATES that I agree with!Let the conservative anti-Obama begin...again.
Stay tuned. It will be something else next week. Want some TEA?
Written by Brian E. Payne
17 comments:
Reader response:
Yes - I saw pix this on a FB post. Just saw a little review of the Americas summit and it appears that Chavez made a b-line to Obama, handed him a book (anti US no less) and was in his face cheesing away afterward. Chavez is despicable to me - shimmying up to China (who's buying their oil) while dogging the tanking US dominance, and then cozying up to Obama while talking about him behind his back. Sleeze on wheels. It negates the truth of what he does say that actually makes sense.
But you are right, Hannity and gang will have a field day while sipping tea! :-D
(BTW: Did you hear that @ the Texas tea party, the Gov talked about seceding from this good ole union) Ridiculous!
-SBZ
Muata responds to SBZ:
I am sure President Obama is well aware that he has to take some heat for US past aggressions. Most of the criticism is legitimate and well deserved. I just wish that the criticism would come from more world leaders. Unfortunately, many of them are strapped to the US like kids. Unwilling to speak out because it may be received as 'back talk' or descent. Chavez may be whacky - but the United States' government takes him seriously. They know his criticism without the name calling is on point. Besides, he has a lot of power.
Yes. I did hear about that.
-Muata
Reader Response:
Being the President means maneuvering the repercussions of past US behavior... that said.. erm.. having Chavez go in for the slick move makes the President look sort of naive..
-SK
Reader Responds to Muata:
Martin and Malcolm, among many others, were considered very whacky and dangerous in their day...remember?
...follow the oil.
-EAS
Muata respondes to EAS:
I am with ya. Sometimes the 'message' is voiced by the most unlikely too...
America needs to listen to EVERYONE who makes them a little 'uncomfortable'. But, they will not listen. Too bad.
-Muata
Reader SBZ responds to EAS and Muata:
Let's back up here -- who's Martin and who's Malcolm? Is this some innuendo to Chavez? Chavez has a lot to say that is on the right side of truth, but what is he trying to accomplish? There's a whole lotta posturing that benefits only him and not necessarily what is best for the people. He is reasonably young and yet vehemently (but unsuccessfully ) tried to become president for life (tried to remove limits) - he has nationalized everything under his control - and has been known to often shut down ANY criticism in the press in his own county. Even before Bush was in office, he was cozying up to Saddam and other known "dictators" in all his craziness. Yes Chavez spoke truthfully about US "imperialism" and God knows Bush gave him plenty of ammo -- but Chavez whackiness and Martin's/Malcolm's "wackiness" come from 2 different sources. Chavez' is calculating self interest, and both Martin and Malcolm (both very devout men) came out of sense of calling injustice to provoke a profound change in the way our people live - free as God made ALL of us to be. I just don't see ANY of that in his rhetoric. Do you???
-SBZ
Muata responds to SBZ:
All I am saying is that the man has a message that the United States government does not care to hear. This was her (United States government) position with Martin and Malcolm. Any level of calling their azzes spades is immediately regulated to stupidity, rhetoric, and/or angry chatter. Our new president does not change the fact that blood and misdeeds are STILL on the hands of this country. Changing the image of the United States will NOT remarkably occur in 4 or 8 years. The well deserved disdain runs deep. Chavez, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, and others are THANKFULLY present to be the righteous thorn in the side. And, no, I am not saying that all Chavez does is righteous - but he is no different than countless elected officials in this union.
-Muata
SBZ responds to earlier comment made by EAS:
Yes lets follow the oil! Chavez is definitely following, coveting, aligning himself up with the oil.
-SBZ
EAS responds to SBZ;
Chavez...oil, he sits on it. Venezuela has huge reserves. Replace the name Chavez with the name Obama and there you'll have it.
Diplomacy under Obama will appear strange and misaligned to some after the previous direction of prior administrations.
If change is what this administration brings, you'll have to look past the pundits and the 24 hr. news cycle and look to long-term results that spring from these early diplomatic efforts, I believe.
It is potentially a new day.
-EAS
EAS responds again to SBZ:
Sharon, where were you when the US and Bush I were cozying up to Saddam and countless other "crazy dictators?"
Venezuela doesn't operate under the US constitution.
And finally, my earlier point Sharon, is that one person's leader is another persons tyrant, whacko, dictator, etc. I have little else to say on the subject. I'll be watching for results.
-EAS
SBZ responds to EAS:
Does 2 wrongs make a right? We know what the US did -it is well documented (funding wars, factions etc leaving a trail of blood and oil) - but how can Chavez do the same AND try to stand on some kind of moral high ground. Hello?
Martin L. King echoed the prophet Jeremiah to say "Cry aloud and spare not." He and Malcolm did this at home AND confronted issues w/in there own faiths. They didn't mind self scrutiny OR being scrutinized from those looking from the outside. Nobody LIKES to be called out and yet they MUST be held accountable. Chavez does a WHOLE lotta crying aloud BUT JUST LIKE THE US discredits those who criticize HIM. Obama it appears to me is trying to acknowledge the "sins of the US past" which continue to have repercussions today. He thankfully did not rise to the bait that Chavez threw his way in defensiveness and deflection. Perhaps they can find a new path --
I am willing to consider that Chavez may be a by-product of US imperialism - and perhaps may be willing to react more honorably when dealt with honorably by US.
I too will be watching for the results to see if Obama and Chavez can draft a new agenda and stay the course.
-SBZ
Reader Response:
Obama knows what he's doing.
In the next year, relations with Cuba will begin to thaw. Right now, Chavez is always using Castro as a symbol of "revolution". Once the embargo is over, Chavez will be left without a propaganda tool.
Chavez is a clown/dictator in waiting. For now, he is the democratically elected leader of Venezuela.
-F
Reader SBZ responds:
At least in this US of A, I have access to all kinds of media which is not so true in his neck of the woods. American media ain't all bad neither.
But Chavez has a lot to account for-- I am willing to and will explore what he has done in Venezuela and Latin America as a "resource rich" country-- has he exploited his own people and fallen into the "resource curse" or has he really fought for reform and more than surface wellbeing for his country?
http://www.latinpetroleum.com/new/blogdetail.php?blogid=311
-SBZ
EAS responds to SBZ:
“Resource curse” is the term used to describe the failure of resource-rich countries to benefit from their natural wealth. Awkwardly, many natural resource rich countries are poorer and more miserable than countries that are less well endowed. This is clearly visible in Africa."
Okay. Thanks Chevron.
Those Africans (for instance) have fallen under the "resource curse" since they met the Europeans...and ever since, the Europeans have been "resource blessed."
-EAS
Muata responds:
It is so typical for us to be SO critical of other world leaders...now. Some of them need to be critiqued. Of course. That’s a given - but isn't it ironic that with our 'new politics' - 'new direction' that we are 'forgetting' that we are the leaders of corruption? Stealing? Cheating? Chavez and others learned from the best. Doesn't make it right. However, we need to stop with this 'we are a nation of righteousness'. Our president is fresh. He has a respectable agenda - but his election does not change 'the face' of this nation. Thus the reason people like Chavez continue to diss out the truth. He may be silly. He may be wrong on some points. Nonetheless, his position on the United States is factual.
-Brian E. Payne
F responds to Muata:
"...we are the leaders of corruption? Stealing? Cheating?"
No, we aren't. All of these things exist in every society, culture, country. We're no different/better that anybody else.
So what Chavez dishes out the so-called "truth". He is still himself a person who is gradually consolidating his power while crushing any dissent.
-F
Muata responds to F:
Thanks, F. You have finally acknowledged that your leaders are crooks/liars.
As I have said previously: the rest of the world have learned from the best, Europeans.
And, if we are not any 'better' perhaps this country needs to stop frontin' like they are better. We are not. The same people responsible for America are the same people who have caused most of the conflict/dissension/poverty/and more all around the world. This country does not even protect their most valuable resources: women, children, and the elderly. Pathetic. But, has the audacity to 'talk' about human rights...If we gonna be the best be the best and stop refusing to face history and do right by its citizens. Hypocrites.
-Muata
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