Chavez v. Bushie
The left-wing president of oil-rich Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has insisted for some time that the U.S. government has been trying to bump him off. That Pat Robertson called for his assassination not so long ago only fueled the man's fire against President Bush, whom he calls "Mr. Danger."
So at the free trade talks in Argentina, Bushie's trying to pretend that Hugo doesn't exist. Hugo, meanwhile, continues to jab and taunt.
With much oil and about eight refineries not damaged at all by Katrina, Hugo offers ten percent of its total output on the cheap to schools and non-profits in poor communities. Needless to say, this has been incredibly popular in the Bronx.
Additionally, what this means is that there's a way to buy oil and gasoline without supporting Bush himself. Get your gas at Citgo, a major U.S. distributor of Venezuelan oil. I like the one one Queens Boulevard. They're not everywhere, but I hope you can find one near you.
Labels: enemies of America
posted by Dan G @ 9:59 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Chavez is no saint himself:
"Many of Venezuela’s current troubles are the result of long-term systemic weaknesses and inequities, with a weak and politicized judicial system in particular contributing to widespread impunity, corruption, and extrajudicial violence. There has, however, been a serious deterioration in the overall human rights situation under the administration of President Hugo Chavez.
As noted in our 2003 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Venezuela, the Government’s human rights record has been and remains poor. Security forces in Venezuela have been linked to the mistreatment of prisoners, forced disappearances, and vigilante death squads responsible for hundreds of extrajudicial killings in at least 11 states. Also of great concern is an increased militarization of public administration, including the use of loyalist military officers in key political posts and as political candidates, and the growing and inappropriate involvement of public security forces in partisan political processes.
Public security forces, particularly elements of the Venezuelan National Guard and the Directorate for Intelligence and Prevention Services (DISIP), used excessive force during demonstrations in late February and early March 2004. The opposition reported 11 deaths, 417 politically motivated arrests, and over 1,700 injuries. There have been credible reports – amply documented in Human Rights Watch’s April 9 letter to President Chavez – of the arbitrary detention and torture of political detainees during this period. There have been reported threats of reprisals against witnesses and victims of human rights violations. A failure to maintain impartiality and independence in key protective institutions, including the Defensoria del Pueblo and the Fiscalia, contributes to general impunity and lack of respect for rule of law. So too does a weak judiciary at all levels – in which 80% of the judges are temporary, provisional, and subject to political pressures, including dismissal for decisions that go against the Government.
Also of grave concern are a rising number of threats and intimidation directed at non-governmental human rights defenders by government representatives and supporters. In a number of harsh statements, President Chavez and members of his Government have criticized – among other targets – individual human rights defenders, human rights organizations, the ILO, labor groups, the Catholic Church, and pro-democracy institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy. Such rhetoric contributes to social and political polarization in Venezuela, works to intimidate legitimate human rights and humanitarian assistance groups, and encourages unlawful attacks by government supporters on members of the opposition, the media, and civil society. At least 12 killings during 2003 appear to have been politically motivated, including the murder of human rights worker Joe Luis Castillo.
At the same time, there has been a serious deterioration of press freedoms, including a rise in physical attacks on journalists and television stations. The Government has intimidated the media through strict defamation laws (including potential prison terms for journalists showing a “lack of respect” for government officials or allowing the publication of materials showing officials in an “undignified” manner); through proposals for new legislation which, if enacted, would violate basic protections on the press and free speech; and, finally, by politically motivated misuse of legal authorities against the media."
Human Rights and Democracy in Venezuela
Robert P. Jackson, Director, Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy
Statement before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus
Washington, DC
April 22, 2004
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/rm/31740.htm
It goes on but i think you get the idea....
Well, food for thought, if that is indeed your name...
I never said that Chavez is a saint. In fact, I hold the general opinion that you have to be a power-hungry asshole to become the leader of pretty much any country.
But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching Hugo bump chests with our president, while Herr Bush tries to pretend Hugo's not there.
There's not gonna be a quiz or anything on this human rights report is there? 'Cause I sorta spaced out about a third of the way down. Boy, wonks would do themselves a favor to jazz up their prose stylings...
Well said, Mr. Dan.
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