Aug
11th
2005
Nestor Kirchner and Hugo Chavez
Best of friends…
Muy buenos amigos…
Sharing some favorite passages from the large-print version of Mao’s Little Red Book.
Compartiendo algunos pasajes preferidos del Libro Rojo de Mao (la versión con letra grande).
UPDATE: See some of our other posts about everyone’s favorite Latin American idiot.
40 Responses to “Nestor Kirchner and Hugo Chavez”
Leave a Reply
note: by commenting, you indicate that you have read and accept all-encompassingly's comment policy. please print it and keep a copy of the document in your wall safe along with your living will or advance directive.
Dialogue behind the Red Book for Short Sighted people:
- Oye mi pana, sigamo’ el cuento del socialismo del siglo XXI, mientras tanto hagamo’lo negocio!!
- Porrshupueshto, el shoshialishmo montonero esh el mash capitalishta de losh shoshialishmos.
cómo se vuelve de todo esto?
They are a couple of pathetic clowns.
Unfortunately they also control the life of many people.
Good blog. I will add it to my blogroll.
Cheers,
Isidro
Oh! Pat Robertson was right!
USA should deal with him the way he deserves,
You are right Isidro, people of Venezuela should be govern by market forces not pricks like Chavez.
Of course. Because before Chavez came to power market forces were the reason why the poor in the barrios had so many jobs, houses and food.
You sad losers. Just get used to the fact that Chavez is here to stay and there are going to be many more like him all over South America before you know it and there nothing you or the NED can do to stop it.
Tossers.
Now there’s a vision for ya…
The people of South American wake up 40 years from now and realize that their continent is a big Cuba. A dirt-poor country stuck 40 years in the past (but they have a great health care system!).
“The people of South American wake up 40 years from now and realize that their continent is a big Cuba. A dirt-poor country stuck 40 years in the past (but they have a great health care system!).”
Actually they woke up now from 100+ years of US interventions, puppet prop-up dictorial governments, unfair trade regulations, Imposed laws, Drug wars that kill peasant farmers, all in the name of Democracy.
They are waking up now - and God bless them!!!
America is going to wake up in 40 years and find that all our great American companies has skipped to the Caymans, China , India, Mexico and ETC, and there are no jobs, a humongous debt, a population without education and a deep energy crisis - but there will be no abortions.
You are nuts Hugo Chavez is a Hero. The best, look what he just did for Massacheusettes, selling discounted heating oil. You guys are a bunch of right wing oligarch cigar chomping republican wildcats!
Why don’t you [expletive] about Tom Delay or some real crooks.
Pat Robertson and WWF have lots in common, they are both giant fakes. Latin america is a world rich with resources and riddled with single minded selfish money hungry dictators and oligarchs who bleed the peasant dry of every resource. Mexico is a perfect example, tons of resources and poverty. The government has been ripping off the people for 100 years.
Sadly, to many he is a hero, just as Hitler was (hmmm…a youth movement, extreme nationalism, a new brand of socialism, cracking down on dissent…sounds kind of like Nazi Germany).
Not surprisingly, it is a Kennedy who’s cutting deals with Chavez.
Yes, we are politically conservative Kentucky fans.
1. I find it fascinating that hardly anybody in U.S. even remembers what Roberts said regarding Chavez, yet Chavez is milking it for all its worth. Typical.
2. It’s the WWE, not the WWF.
When Delay limits press freedom and throws political opponents in jail, come back and comment here to let us know.
Sounds a lot like Cuba.
In fact, your entire rant about Mexico applies to pretty much every country in Latin America. It is actually the countries that have been implementing liberal reforms (in the classical sense of the term) that have prospered, such as Chile.
It’s coming true. I understood that Chavez was a big thorn in bush’s side, but there is a larger issue here and we will ultimately gain from it.
It’s an ecology thing. Any system with insufficient diversity is unstable by definition. This guy is, in addition to apparently diverting funds to the benefit of Venezualans (which benefits us in terms of markets) breaking the hold of the Mid-East countries on the oil mess. Lots of players, more balance. We make a big mistake by fighting his short-term implications. We do much better to look at the long term and learn work in an arena with lots of dissenting members.
Cockroaches and rats did this. Did they or the dinosaurs win?
Jim
It is looking at the long term that has me scared.
Nope. Cockroaches and rats are r-strategists, dinosaurs were K-strategists. The r-strategists always win in wildly unpredictable environments.
bravo Sonny Rivas, you very well ant wittingly resumed the point.
Chavez is an idiot; the guy should stop talking and try to hide how dumb he is. He just released a statement saying Israel’s invasion of Lebanon was like Hitler’s Nazi party. Last I saw, Israel didn’t take over 10 other countries or create concentration camps to kill the Lebanese by the thousands. It really worries me that morons of the highest regard can run countries and create problems; he is almost as bad as the President of Iran. Maybe they are related.
LA TIMES
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-soderberg6sep06,0,5162789.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
Argentina’s Annoying New Friend
A potential economic alliance with Venezuela could foment a crisis for Latin American democracy
By Nancy Soderberg, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is the author of “The Superpower Myth: The Use and Misuse of American Might.”
September 6, 2006
WHILE THE Middle East smolders, another crisis is brewing to our south. Slow economic growth, worsening inequality, lack of social services and weak legal systems have eroded confidence in elected governments. A 2004 United Nations Development Program poll indicates disturbing trends in Latin Americans’ views toward democracy: 55% said they would support a dictatorship if it could produce economic benefits, and 58% agreed that leaders should “go beyond the law” if necessary. Skepticism of elections is high. Since 2000, four elected presidents in the region have been forced to step down.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is using his oil wealth to play to this frustration and spread his populist anti-Americanism throughout the hemisphere. And he’s buying influence. He has funded samba schools in Brazil, lavished trade deals on neighbors and purchased $25 million in Ecuadorean debt. At a July economic summit, Venezuela joined the once-staid South American trading bloc called Mercosur. Its leaders lauded the attendance of Fidel Castro and signed a trade agreement with Cuba. Chavez is now trying to line up the developing world’s support for his bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Let me preface this for those Chavez sympathizers on this site that I do not believe in a drug war (many more people die because of it a la Traffic which was a great movie and representation of why the drug wars don’t work), and I do not believe in unfair trade regulations although it works both ways - that’s politics, and I don’t believe that propping up dictators is in the best interest of the US - so on that we agree but here’s my response to Mr. Chavez’ so called speech at the UN today -
When Mr. Chavez has been elected by his people - as opposed to putting himself in power with weapons and force - when he has allowed the people of Venezuela to place their vote - then and only then will his comments about what the “people want” and have to say be valid - then and only then will his words hold credibility - our elected officials hold THEIR office because they have been voted in by the people of the United States - people much like those good people of Venezuela who just want a life of safety and prosperity for their families. A dictator is after all, defined by HIS actions - NOT as Chavez claimed by another country’s Presidents’ words - and Chavez actions speak loudly for themselves. When our President leaves office after his TERM LIMIT as is dictated by the laws written by the people of the United States, I wonder who Mr. Chavez ( I’m assuming since he wasn’t elected and there is no term limit for dictatorship that he will try to hold onto his self-proclaimed title indefinately) - But I wonder who will he blame then for the deteriorating state of his own country - I wonder if he will continue to blame others or whoever is voted into office in the US , much like a brat or a child bully who when he feels weak says, “he did it” - Hey Chavez - we may meddle but we are a completely different country - It will be interesting to see what occurs when his people realize that his paranoid words do not a leader make. The people’s vote is what defines a true leader - period.
Chavez is a fat pig with a giant watermelon head. The Americans are now awake. Screw you, your country and your piece of crap Citgo oil. The GREAT UNITED STATES will soon be freed from foreign oil which will cause you and your greasy [edited] countrymen to eat the scraps of piece [sic], freedom loving people. VIVA THE ESTADOS UNIDOS, GEORGE BUSH AND THE SPIRIT OF OPPORTUNITY OF THE AMERICANS THAT HAVE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. Opportunism has never died and the need for oil will be decreasing over the next few years. Gracias HUGO for reminding us all here that it is time for the Americans to change the world again.
chavez is the best. He sure has Bush down, Bush is a loser who used the power of his brother to win a lost election. How better the world will be without him.
I hope to hear more from Chavez in the future if the cia dont get him first. He makes more sense than anyone else right now in the international scene. No pulling punches..great.
jazzy b,
Like most of the “I Heart Chavez” crowd, it is painfully obvious that you know absolutely nothing about Hugo Chavez, his previous history trying to overthrow the Venezuelan government, or his tactics to remain in power.
Doug-
It actually a lot more painfully obvious that you
know nothing about the long US history of meddling in the internatl affairs of Latin Amefica, and how this has quite logically led to a good deal of resentment by many Latin Americans for the US.
Chavez, who was democratically elected himself (before being briefly toppled -in 2002- by a military coup which was very likely supported by the US)is a representive of this resentment, and his views are only unique because unlike most of the ass-kissing leaders of the third world he vebalizes the true feelings of many of his people.
Our president feels very comfortable calling other world leaders “evil”, so why can’t we handle it when world leaders respond in kind. President Chavez has legitimate historical ideological, and personal reasons (Bush should be able to relate- I don’t think he liked it when Saddam tried to have his dad killed; should Chavez feel differently knowing that Bush supported his overthrow) to dislike Bush and resent America.
His views are common among his people and come not from brainwashing but an awareness that America has often been willing to meddle in the internal affairs of Latin America against the benefit of Latin Americans. Not surprisingly, nations that have historical experience as the victims of American repression are going to be much more suspicious of American motives than Americans are. Most American unfortunately have long chosen to ignore or forget the uglier episodes of our history (as an intro start with Hawaii, the Philippines, Pre-Khomeini Iran, and Chile), and therefore struggle to understand the resentment of many of the world’s people. This lack of repentance does not help. If Bush and other Americans wish to improve their international standing blindly pretending that American is, and always has been, some type of selfless international police force is not a good place to start. In order to improve our relations with foreign nations we must all become more aware of the flaws of past policy and commit ourselves as a people to a foreign policy that does not rely on military and covert action to manipulate foreign countries for our own economic benefit. Bush is the anti-thesis of this type of leader and as such we should not be surprised when foreign leaders view him negatively.
By the way, in response to a previous posters statement that we “should cut off aid to Venezuala”; we actually did..in the mid-1960s.
kaz,
I see that you are commenting on different Hugo Chavez posts, which means that you found the search form. Congrats!
I can only hope that you are not a native English speaker.
In any case, you’re right, the United States has made a boat-load of mistakes in her foreign policy.
None of that makes any difference as to who Chavez is, what he’s about, and what a thug he is.
As a quick example, consider Hugo’s overt meddling in the elections of Peru, Mexico, and Bolivia. And then he complains about the US? Please.
Doug,
If you are willing to admit mistakes, why is the US government not? The US continues to follow a foreign policy dictated by the unapologetic support of US corporate interests abroad. It does this despite a pretense of support for democracy and a self-proclaimed moral superiority. In the light of a history rife with such problems how does continued support of such policies accomplish anything other than the increasing of resentment against America abroad? As a US citizen I am primarily concerned with US policy. As a country of ideals (if that is what we want to be) we need to get our own house in order if we expect the respect of the international community. No nation is perfect but Bush and his corporate cronies aren’t even trying. Such leadership can only lead to the decline of international goodwil.
By the way Doug, please can the snarky comments on typos. All it does is distract from legitimate dialogue while making you look like an a-hole
I’ve read with attention the discussion and it’s good to see that some people, like Kaz for example, argue with historical facts and some logic. However, the one called Doug seems to be driven by an emotional rant as his high levels of ignorance, prejudice and narrow-mindeness are rather transparent.
Samuel,
The one called Doug disputes your characterization…
Are we to believe anything credible about a leader who changed the country’s coat of arms based on a “dream of his daughter”. The galloping horse, once facing right is now going “left”. Also, the spirit of Simon Bolivar appeared to him and said to add another star to the flag… This man is clearly a “salesman” appealing to the ingorance of the populace that believe in signs and mysticism. What a miserable joke he is. Pat Robertson had the right idea… the sooner the better for the people of Venezueala and the world. Pretty soon Castro will be dust and Chavez should follow his buen amigo.
Not sure if anyone is there….
I really like what Chavez has been doing. The weakes and most volunerable in his country seem to be benefitting from his government. I think he has the potential to revolutionize the continent.
I am disturbed by his recent “rule by decree” initiative. It just doesn’t seem democratic. Especially, getting rid of term limits. George Washington is most famous for what he didn’t do. After winning the revolution and serving as president the country was willing to crown him king. He chose not to. Had he grasped power in that moment, he would have been remembered as just another dicator and the U.S. history would have been one dicator’s rule after another. I hope Chavez understands history enough to know that the revolution will continue only if his country learns how to keep it going after he’s gone. He has to respect the PROCESS democratic transformation even more than the Products of the revolution. Otherwise, he will be known as just another tired dictator who tried to do good things but became more concerned with his own survival.
Oh Get Real Just don’t buy ANYTHING NO GAS NOTHING from Venezuela and don’t sell them anything either. Who needs another dictator in the world
Drunk with power and convinced he’s right, Chavez will eventually overreach. There have been rumors about his designs on wealthy little Aruba only 15 miles off the coast. Taking that island will suck in the Dutch which will trigger NATO, and therefore, the United States. Chavez is a cheap thug who has used intimidation and threats to consolidate his power. Sure he got elected, so did the National Socialists in Germany. Too many people around him tell him how right he is, he won’t be able to control himself.
If you notice America hasnt even flinched to Chavez’ comments. He shivers in his shoes everyday! We(America)have nothing to fear from this fool and his alias which are just like the Nazis that failed with there idea.
Chavez is the latest plump Leming over the edge first in S. America. Geez, haven’t they learned. Socialism died when it was born. Castro is the last red remains of the day. Once Chavez’s oil and drug money dry up, he’s just another leftest without an iota of an idea of how to lead his people other than with a machete (maybe in 30 years there will be 2006 Chevys still running around in that country too). They dont call it Third World for nothing. Viva El Gringos.
wow
besides there many many differences
what does bush have that chavez doesnt?
class. chavez is like a little child with a bullhorn. he gets everyones attention with his bizzare speeches but in the long run he’ll just be remembered as yet another nut with too much to say
I have witnessed closely the changes in Venezuela and also in Argentina. Argentina looks bad with very bad roads, which have yet to be fixed even after the major default of their government bonds. Under Kirshner, we see something very similar to Peron, catering to the ignorant hordes, pandering to the labor unions (some of the biggest social cancers). Kirshner and Chavez are merely in cahoots to rip off their countries with Chavez now owning Argentina’s foreign debt.
Chavez is a pathetic clown. Venezuela only has oil, bec ause the rest of the resources are not viable due to a very shaky goverment and legal system. Hell, the gringos found the oil in Venezuela, built the infrastructure and maintained it.
You guys take HUGO too seriously.I enjoy this clown and his pronouncements tremendously.I do not think he is a threat to USA policy in the southern hemisphere.
Those that he considers his allies {Castro, Kirchner & Evo} are just opportunists taking advantage of his generosity {Castro - 200,000 barrels/day, Kirchner - Argentine debt, Evo - anything Hugo gives him}.
Putin is selling him jet fighters,Iran found a market for its tractors,Castro is sending doctors with less than 1 year in medical schools, Argentina is sending agricultural experts to teach venezuelans how to cultivate the land and bulls for artificial insemination, Belarus (old soviet republic)is selling them an obsolete version of missile defense ……
I think HUGO is a pisser.
I’m very concerned about the situation in Venezuela. I’ve heard thousands of rumours, ranging from Chavez mandating that foreign cash is not allowed in the country, and that a person can’t have a foreign bank account, to taking all children under the age of 20 to raise them as the government wishes, to “prevent child abuse.” I’ve also heard they want to cut off internet and cell phone access. (If you’ve been in Venezuela you know they practically live on their cell phones.) This has been coming from fairly reliable sources, (who live in Venezuela) and although it sounds fantastic, I’ve seen and heard some unbelievable things in the year I’ve lived down there. Would somebody who isn’t an armchair critic and who actually knows what they are talking about either give me some peace of mind, or warn me so I can start telling people to immigrate to Canada. Muchas gracias…. si puedes leer este quizas sabes de que estas hablando.
Stephen,
Gracias por tu comentario. Vemos si alguien te responde por aca.
Dudo que algunos de los datos escuchados sean ciertos. Por ejemplo, aunque Chavez quiera ser tirano, no creo que saque los menores de sus hogares para que el gobierno los crie.
Lo mejor seria de hablar con personas bien informadas en Venezuela que ya tienen (mucho?) dinero y saben de las restricciones de moneda extranjera, cuentas bancarias, etc.
Un abrazo,
Doug
Gracias Doug, muy amable
I do know that there is an “official” rate that the Chavez government sets for their money, which is far less than the international rate (1000 bolivares are worth about 33cents Canadian… American… well, right now it’s pretty much the same. But it’s alot more expensive to change bolivares into dollars, most places won’t even do it for you.
I doubt as well they’ll take children from their homes, but the educational system is looking at some changes… that would be almost as effective.
One thing I’ve noticed is change of opinions, people who loved Chavez antes no le quieren ya…
La pregunta es que se puede tomar en serio este chamo, o no?
Mi espanol no es perfecto pero entiendo bien.
Oye q pais y gente la de Vzla, pero se lo merecen todos, lo q esta pasando Vzla. Q viva Chavez nojoda! Y ojala y le den el poder absoluto en Vzla, para q los govierne a todos with an Iron fist, para q asi aprendan toditos.
Chavez They got to stop him now or he will take over the county like sadam did get rid of him now. this guy is BAD news now or never Wake up .
One only needs to look at the headlines today. Chavez demands apology from king of Spain. Basically he is telling the king apologize or I will take over your banks in my country.
Note to Kaz…It might be more valid if you could produce some evidence that we in fact are trying to overthrow or somehow eliminate this guy. In your mind we are obviously the bad guys but take note in the fact that we have over the years spend billions in aid and loans to latin american countries even to venezuela for infrastructure projects as well as transitioning to an open economy. Sounds like that investment has gone down the drain. To be blunt your comparison between George Bush and Hugo Chavez reminds of a far side comic strip.
Chavez deserves praise for at least getting rid of American intervention in Venezuela. He was elected by the majority yet the U.S. government calls him a dictator!? The American idea of democracy = more oil and profit for U.S. while the poor masses are forced to be content with their limited lives. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!
Chavez is an egotistical, confrontational, undiplomatic embarrassment to the great nation of Venezuela. Chavez should first apologize for insulting Zapatero and for speaking far longer than his allotted time at the summit in Santiago, before he asks for anyone else to apologize. If “the imperialists” had any guts, King J.C. would go to the EU and press for ALL European nations to cut economic ties with Venezuela, pull out their industries and let Venezueal deal with the consequences. If one member must make tough decisions, its economic allies should follow. They are supposed to be an econmic UNION, aren’t they? It would then be sweet to see the oil-addicted Americans voluntarily refuse the low grade Venezuelan crude (which cannot currently be refined anywhere except the U.S.), for the USA to use its influence with Panama to get them to shut down the canal to any ships going to/from Venezuela (i.e. remove China from the equation) and to quietly press neighboring Brazil to join the club. Chavez is a wart on the continent of South America whose time has come to be surgically removed.