I agree that political labels are increasingly irrelevant, but not only in Latin America. People are tired of rhetoric, and they are tired of being lied to. This article paints Bush as a great leader and Chavez as an undesirable. Since I believe actions speak louder than words, let's look at the actions.
Chavez decided not to play ball with oil interests and everyone connected with the oil industry ,as well as, the extreme right have made it clear they want him dead. Why? Because they want the oil, and they want it very cheaply. If Chavez was not presiding over a country with substantial oil reserves the oil industry would not be interested in its affairs, and therefore Bush would have zero interest in both the country and the man.
As far as I know, no other oil entity other than Chavez's Citgo donated oil at a reduced price, if not free, to needed Americans during the last two winter heating seasons. Billions upon billions of dollars in extra profits have been collected through market manipulation and yet only one oil company had the compassion to provide oil to those in need when prices skyrocketed. Some will argue it was a PR stunt, maybe so, but the people who benefited from this PR stunt for two years are very glad they did.
Bush on the other hand sent the men and woman of this country to invade Iraq for personal motivations that had nothing to do with a threat against America. Oil, Oil, Oil is why our men and women have died in Iraq, is why tens of thousands of our soldiers have been wounded and maimed, is why political instability was introduced in Iraq which resulted in millions leaving Iraq for neighboring countries as refugees and those left behind to face daily slaughter by sectarian violence.
Although there are literally hundreds of other examples of abuse of power, anti-democracy, anti-civil rights, and anti-human rights actions taken by this President on behalf of the right and oil interests, I believe Iraq has been vetted enough to make my point, and only Bush zealots continue to believe the invasion of Iraq was just.
Thanks to the internet, I read articles from every news source I can. This type of article is in the minority worldwide. Most of the world sees very clearly how oil interests affect world politics and how the actions taken by Bush have been driven by those interests. If Bush seems leftward lately it is because the American people called him on it in the November elections, and unless there is a leftward shift the Democrats will sweep the 08 elections.
I am sure more than a few readers, okay most, of this newspaper will take issue with this post. That is to be expected since the same thing would happen if someone of the right posted on a left leaning website. I neither lean left or right. I lean towards honesty, ethical, and moral actions. I don't care whether you tout the left, center, or right, if your actions are not honest, ethical and moral your words are meaningless when cast in front of your actions. As I look forward to reading articles from various news sources, I look forward to seeing what will be said about Chavez, Bush, and of course this post.
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I agree that political labels are increasingly irrelevant, but not only in Latin America. People are tired of rhetoric, and...
Garry
Mar 15, 2007 07:40
Comment on Leaders vs. Loonies
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