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stoner
QUOTE
This World's John Sweeney goes to Venezuela to investigate just how good the controversial President is at running his own country.

President Hugo Chavez calls the United States "Dracula" and George W. Bush "Mr Danger", "a drunk" and "a donkey". He can get away with being rude to the most powerful man on earth and challenging the economic might of the United States because his country sits on trillions of dollars worth of oil.

He may well be considered the luckiest left-wing leader, ever. Five years ago he was the victim of a right-wing coup which could have resulted in his death, but the people rose up in his defence and a stronger, tougher Chavez emerged.

As well as a huge bank of oil, Chavez has great political nous, a common touch and he's won three elections in a row. Now he wants a new constitution...



The Trillion Dollar Revolutionary
smarrie
QUOTE(stoner @ Dec 28 2007, 09:33 AM) *

Prior to Christmas, Chavez lost the vote to change the constitution. He will therefore not be allowed to run for another term in upcoming elections and will be stepping down as president. The American Administration and the Corporate Mass Media have been intense with their negative campaign against Chavez and his policies. The issue is oil. In 1995 Petroleos (Venezuela's government owned oil company) dissolved its partnership with Unocal-Union Oil Company of California (definitely worth a google, ie. connections with the Taliban in Afghanistan since 1996, also former employees are now the appointed leaders in Afghanistan and Iraq). Venezuela now refuses to supply the United States with it's oil and has chosen to supply China instead ( America's largest rival for control of the world's oil supplies). China had attempted to buy Unocal but was blocked by U.S. congress and sold to Chevron for a lower bid (2 billion dollars less), in 2005. And so, now the BBC weighs in with criticism of Venezuela's level of poverty, it's despotism and the sound of gunfire in the street. Isn't this just a mirror reflection of any large urban city in North America. I wonder if taking from the rich and giving to the poor is another bone of contention, or maybe the fact that a third world non-white player like Venezuela and Chavez are in control of their own resources and are therefore ruining the party for the world's corporate elite. The North American public had looked to the BBC news as a more truthful/honest source of information for world events instead of the propaganda we are being fed locally, i guess not.
smarrie
QUOTE(smarrie @ Dec 28 2007, 03:07 PM) *
Prior to Christmas, Chavez lost the vote to change the constitution. He will therefore not be allowed to run for another term in upcoming elections and will be stepping down as president. The American Administration and the Corporate Mass Media have been intense with their negative campaign against Chavez and his policies. The issue is oil. In 1995 Petroleos (Venezuela's government owned oil company) dissolved its partnership with Unocal-Union Oil Company of California (definitely worth a google, ie. connections with the Taliban in Afghanistan since 1996, also former employees are now the appointed leaders in Afghanistan and Iraq). Venezuela now refuses to supply the United States with it's oil and has chosen to supply China instead ( America's largest rival for control of the world's oil supplies). China had attempted to buy Unocal but was blocked by U.S. congress and sold to Chevron for a lower bid, in 2005. And so, now the BBC weighs in with criticism of Venezuela's level of poverty, it's despotism and the sound of gunfire in the street. Isn't this just a mirror reflection of any large urban city in North America. I wonder if taking from the rich and giving to the poor is another bone of contention, or maybe the fact that a third world non-white player like Venezuela and Chavez are in control of their own resources and are therefore ruining the party for the world's corporate elite. The North American public had looked to the BBC news as a more truthful/honest source of information for world events instead of the propaganda we are being fed locally, i guess not.

I was surprised at the colonial arrogance of John Sweeney, especially his visit to the dairy farm. It was like a parent's visit to your first apartment and choosing to only focus on your poor housekeeping skills (remember how that felt). He also chose not to mention the American Governments approval and support of the failed 2002 coup attempt. America 's Military/Industrial Complex, with the support of their rotating employee/government officials are aggressively taking control of the remaining finite oil reserves (next step Iran?).They are resentful of having to compete with China. Who is definitely an opponent in this race, particularly in Africa. China owns 40% of Sudan's national oil company (Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company). China supplies the arms that get transferred to Darfur. There is is no coincidence that these oil-rich countries are being destabilized and will in all probability remain so (the Americans in Afghanistan restored control back with the Drug Lords). Sorry for such a rant. On a more positive side, the goodness of the American public will pervade. I have faith in them to change this paradigm.
Truthiness
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=590_1196456462

"This World's John Sweeney goes to Venezuela to investigate just how good the controversial President is at running his own country.

President Hugo Chavez calls the United States "Dracula" and George W. Bush "Mr Danger", "a drunk" and "a donkey". He can get away with being rude to the most powerful man on earth and challenging the economic might of the United States because his country sits on trillions of dollars worth of oil.

He may well be considered the luckiest left-wing leader, ever. Five years ago he was the victim of a right-wing coup which could have resulted in his death, but the people rose up in his defence and a stronger, tougher Chavez emerged.

As well as a huge bank of oil, Chavez has great political nous, a common touch and he's won three elections in a row. Now he wants a new constitution."
stoner
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