I dont know much about this guy apart from the fact that the americans dont like him and want to get rid of him, and he equally it appears does not like the americans.

what has this democratically elected leader done so wrong to piss the US off.

Opinions pls folks

Chavez is introducing wealth redistribution economics into Veneuela , meaning the rich are going to lose their priveledged place . Chavez is taking the mineral wealth of Venezuela , petroleum and going to use it to benefit his nation . These policies run counter to the freemarket economic policies the US wants to enforce on the 3rd World .

It is simply people economic empowerment , the liberation of people from plutocratic control . This is what the inmans of Iran have been doing since 1979 , this is what the Cubans have been doing since 1960 .

Your assesment of things are naive, and dont take reality into consideration. Could you show how this "redistibution of wealth" is happening.

Better yet show an example of where this has ever happened. I can see that the gap between the rich and poor is huge, can u please show where it is not?......how about Australia?

But it is intersesting how massive #'s of poor people enter U.S everyn day, why is that?

It is simply people economic empowerment , the liberation of people from plutocratic control . This is what the inmans of Iran have been doing since 1979 , this is what the Cubans have been doing since 1960 .

LOL - Priceless.

Know how many Cubans die every year trying to get to America Foley ? On average now ? Huh do you ?

Priceless

As far as Chavez,

Dear President Chavez,

Of course, you do realize that this “dear” is as formal as they come. You were never dear to me, not even before 1998. See, many people might have forgotten it, or pretend to have forgotten it as long as you keep sending them oil or an allowance, but I, for one, have not forgotten that you are the 1992 coup monger, an assassin that still needs to account for the 200 something people that died then, the leader of the little tanks that were attacking a museum and the house where the wife of the Venezuelan president and his children were hiding. All but you apparently ignoring that rarely Carlos Andres visited his estranged wife. Then again, since you are at Miraflores, we have discovered that accurate information and scrutiny is not your forte. Your magic dust never worked on me, sorry. I have always seen you for the uncouth soldier that you were, are, will ever be.

I thought that I had figured you out quite well. See, I am one of those that know very well that you will never leave office in a democratic way. You and your pals have stolen too much, have committed too many crimes, and have to much of a power trip to let that escape your hand. I have no illusion. I do not know whether we in the opposition will force you out someday, or if the ones that will get rid of you are actually very close to you, very faithful servants who like any sycophant can turn their coats at an amazing speed. It does not matter: aberrations like your tenure on office always end, even if the country is a mess and unable to get rid of you. Castro will die someday. Peron did not survive Evita’s passing. Pinochet thought the people loved him. Velasco was sent packing by his allies when the country run out of food. You guys will always outreach yourselves. And you, Hugo, will not be the exception.

But I digress, as I am sure that I am not writing anything that you already do not know. I am not sure that you are intelligent but I will give you one thing: your street smarts are excellent and play well in politics. Maybe for a decade more if oil prices keep steady. Thus I am sure that at some level you are very aware of what I am writing.

Your histrionics are good too! They have more than one fooled, in particular overseas where the anti Bush, knee jerk anti US folks love every single nonsense you utter, every tiny bit of insult you send up North. They gobble it; they never have enough of it. It is for me amazing that they can support so easily a military regime, an authoritarian regime that they would not tolerate for a second at home. It is amazing how they can suspend disbelief to that extent. Hate is really a powerful feeling. Then again they still think Castro is hot; they still have not added up all the deaths that can be attributed to the Che; some even think that the fall of the Berlin Wall was a tragedy. Heck! Some might even miss Pinochet, a great scare crow if ever there was one, a good way to get the naïve to give them money for who knows what. Ask the Christian fundamentalists in the US and how many causes they supported as long as it allowed them to pick the pockets of their Sunday crowd! Even Pat Robertson tries to supplement his income using you.

That last part I am not as sure you can really get. See, you culture is very superficial, very uncritical, very emotional. You have shown time and again that you do not digest what you read, that you take everything out of context not because you do it on purpose but because you probably have no idea what context is and how important it is for the advancement of ideas, original ideas in particular. Your speeches are a constant stream of rehashed banalities that are made more palatable through your inimitable delivery. Perhaps if some media had given you a talk show by 1991 we would not be in the dire situation we are now. But I digress again, I only wanted to write that this lack of critical spirit, combined with a strange ego makes you a perfect target for these people who are sucking you dry. And even if you were to realize that they are using you, you probably would not mind. Power is a drug, and absolute power an absolute drug.

But it is time that I tell you why is it that for the first time ever I have decided to write to you directly. See, I am in the boondocks for a few days of deserved rest. Dealing with the bureaucratic tangles of the Bolivarian revolution is wearing me. I did tune up the radio last Monday night and I did manage to listen, through all the creaking, some words you said, maybe on Alo Presidente, I could not tell. But it does not matter. What you were saying was equally infamous no matter where you would say it. You were, need I remind you, comparing your pain to the pain of the mother of the Faddoul kids, assassinated a couple of weeks ago while kidnapped. This left me aghast, doubly aghast when I realized that you were accusing the opposition media of using the Faddoul drama for political purpose, JUST AS YOU WERE DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOU ACCUSED THEM TO DO by comparing your pain to Mrs. Faddoul, just as you were telling us that you cried when you talked to her. By the way Hugo, did you cry BEFORE you talked to her? Because a lot of us did, you know, without Globovision needing to manipulate us into crying.

See, this is why I am writing to you today, finally after three years of criticizing almost anything you do. I think you have lost it and that you have become dangerous. It is time that someone tells it to you like it is.

A couple of weeks ago I was watching the Downfall, a movie that made it to the Oscar race telling us how were the last days of Hitler. No, you are not Hitler, I would not be silly enough to equate you to him, though some days it would be so easy to pigeon hole you as such. Like all brilliant manipulators, you will create your own brand of repression. But I have a confession to make: when I saw Hitler ranting, mistrusting anyone, threatening anyone, blaming anyone for his mistakes, believing any pipe dream he came up with, well, I could not help but be reminded of you. See, I do not see that in Castro. He is clear about what he is, a ruthless caudillo, perhaps the most successful dictator of our Latin American story, since Porfirio Diaz. I am too young for Peron or even Pinochet, but I did not see that in them either. These people at some level sensed when it was time to pack and go; and if Pinochet is now under investigation in Chile it is because he was fool enough to go to England against every piece of advice given to him, not because he had lost his wits. He dared, he lost, even when he thought he had managed to escape back to Chile.

No, what I heard in these few words transmitted by the radio of your regime showed me clearly that you have lost your bearings, that you are saying “n’importe quoi” so as to distract from a given monstrosity by creating yet another monstrosity. Your are going insane and that is dangerous for the country, for you, for me, for our families, for our peace as a nation. Keep going and soon enough we will end up in a civil war and it is your side that will start it because simply they will not be able to hide your words anymore and will be forced to act on them, be forced to spring into action, just as Nazi generals were taking young teenagers to defend Berlin, having lost any sense of past, present or future. You should watch that movie, you do not even need to get the context, the end never needs context.

I urge you, Hugo Chavez, if you still have moments of lucidity to stop this march to madness. If you must, cheat on elections, exile a few of us, but do not start feeling more pain than your victims. Stay in office forever if we must to avoid a civil war. But what you are doing now is madness and it leads us to hell.

Sincerely, as anyone ever was Daniel.

I found this here.. http://daniel-venezuela.blogspot.com/

this is worth reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariel_Boat_Lift

I 100% support mr. Chevez and think it's time the USA stopped messing with other countries.
Of course it won't do it, therefore I like Chevez's idea of blowing up the oil wells if the USA tries to take over.

I like Chevez's idea of blowing up the oil wells

what about the environmental implications? the U.S take over...thats funny.

Not funny at all, just look at the history of the 20th century Latin America. The USA has sponsored about 40 wars and rebellions.

what about the environmental implications?
shit happens

Perhaps he should get himself a nuke.

then the US will stay away

Your long post, which is more than total of all others, has few facts in it, so I will just comment on four words I found while skimming it:... Like all brilliant manipulators, ...I think you are giving Hugo too much credit. You must recognize how easy the oligarchy that preceded him made it for him.

When about 1% of Venezuela’s population controlled the oil income, there was no medical service for the people. Few had ever even seen a doctor* in their whole lives. There were no clinics for most, even if you could pay, and few could with no jobs. What existed then was restricted stores that sold subsided imports only to the 1% and some of the better placed oil-company employees - the office workers, not those that that got dirty in the field. There were, of course, very good schools for their children, free of any tuition, but essentially no public schools for the people. Etc.

As I said, you give Hugo too much credit. Given the way the 1% was using the oil income, any idiot could be a "brilliant Manipulator."
------------------------------------
*Castro educates doctors and exports them to much the third world, sometimes with little to show for it, but he gets very cheap oil in exchange for the 1000s that now man the free medical clinics that serve the people of Venezuela

Your assesment of things are naive, and dont take reality into consideration.
The reality of the moment is that Venezuela is under an economic attack from America and Europe .
1 ) The U.S.-backed coup in April 2002 .
2 ) The 2002 general strike led by oil executives at the state oil monopoly and the business elite , which cost the country $8 billion .
3 ) US currency manipulation of the Venezualan Bolivar caused a devaluation and a capital flight out of Venezuela costing some 11.3 billion .
Thats reality .
Could you show how this "redistibution of wealth" is happening.
VENEZUELA: New pro-poor policies announced (URL=http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/663/663p15c.htm)
Venezuela’s socialist President Hugo Chavez announced a major housing program on March 26, pledging the construction of 150,000 new homes by the end of the year and the possible expropriation of houses being sold at exorbitant prices.
Chavez announced a new social mission called Mothers of the Barrios (poor neighbourhoods) that aims to assist mothers living in extreme poverty,
According to Chavez, the government will pay 80% of the minimum wage to mothers who live in extreme poverty, about US$180 per month.
Its a start .
Better yet show an example of where this has ever happened. I can see that the gap between the rich and poor is huge, can u please show where it is not?
Yugoslavia
......how about Australia?
Goth Whitlam years as Prime Minister until he was predictably scaked in a US inspired attack which was really a coup .
But it is intersesting how massive #'s of poor people enter U.S everyn day, why is that?
Of course and many millions more 3rd world poor enter the EU and Australia each year as well , and what else would you expect as our affluent nations keep these nations poor .
But it is intersesting how massive #'s of poor people live U.S , why is that?
Poverty spreads (http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/26/news/economy/poverty_survey/)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The number of Americans living in poverty jumped to 35.9 million last year, up by 1.3 million, while the number of those without health care insurance rose to 45 million from 43.6 million in 2002, the U.S. government said in a report Thursday.
I mean you hold America and its economic policies up as an example , at least explain this contradiction .
Know how many Cubans die every year trying to get to America Foley ? On average now ? Huh do you ?
They wouldnt be leaving because the US has economically embargoed Cuba for 40 years ?
UN General Assembly Calls for End to US Economic Embargo Against Cuba (http://globalpolicy.igc.org/security/sanction/cuba/unvote/1113assembly.htm)
The United Nations General Assembly Tuesday overwhelmingly called for an end to the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba that was imposed over 40 years ago.
Or the intentional US aggression against the Cuban economy .
Fifty years of US terrorism against Cuba (http://www.voltairenet.org/article132624.html)
Since 1959 to this day, Cuba has been a victim of an intense terrorism campaign that has included sabotage, armed invasions, the threat of nuclear war, extremely severe economic sanctions and implacable diplomatic, political and media aggression.
As far as Chavez,
Seems to me the US could use a Chavez of their own .

President Chavez represents the one thing the the USA hates the most. A President of ALL the people - not just the rich.

I have more respect for President Chavez than all US presidents COMBINED!!!

Your assesment of things are naive, and dont take reality into consideration?


And it would seem yours stem from a total brain washing... but we gotta have sheep too.

Brian,

Time has demonstrated that equality is something that will never happen. cant you accept that?..... but you allready have.

As far as # of poor people in U.S, you must consider that California alone is more populated than all of Australia.

P.S-not sure the examples you copied show redistribution of wealth, at least not in a meaningfull way. maybe i'm missing something. but they look positive.

thats it for now.


Oh almost forgot-

DKB- good to see you back.

"This is what the inmans of Iran have been doing since 1979 , this is what the Cubans have been doing since 1960 ."

LOL

Yeah, Cuba has such a high standard of living LOL
Oh and Iran! Gotta love those high quality mud houses that collapse every year!

Chavez is nothing but another dictator who uses poor people to get into power. They are just as poor now as the day he entered office and will be just as poor when he leaves. And "Money distribution" is nothing more than the Chavez and his cronies taking other peoples money and keeping it for themselves. Didnt Zimbabwe have the same type of economic policy? Tell us dear Brian how that has worked out for Zimbabwe?

... They are just as poor now as the day he entered office and will be just as poor when he leaves...I doubt that. At least their children now are going to schools and all go to doctors in free clinics, neither of which even existed when all the oil income was used exclusively by less than 1% of the population to fund the restricted-access stores that sold subsidized imported goods and the free, but "private," schools only the 1 percent's childeren could attend. For more details - see my prior post.

Know how many Cubans die every year trying to get to America Foley ? On average now ? Huh do you ?
”

They wouldnt be leaving because the US has economically embargoed Cuba for 40 years ?

Or that Cuban immigrants are a special case. What is it, you ask? Any Cubans that come to the U.S. are practically automatically made U.S. citizens unlike immigrants from other countries that risk deportation.

That's a special feature all part of the war vs Cuba to make capitalism look better than socialism and communism.

And by the way, I'm a U.S. resident. Lived in Southern California almost my whole life save for a few off and on years in Las Vegas, NV. Never been to a doctor once other than for my childhood shots. Yay capitalism!

- N

Yeah, Cuba has such a high standard of living LOL
Oh and Iran! Gotta love those high quality mud houses that collapse every year!
46 years of a US embargo and sanctions prevents Cuba from fully attaning first world status , Capitalist states cannot afford to allow Socialism to be seen to prosper it would give other nations the impetus to adopt such an economic platform .
Chavez is nothing but another dictator who uses poor people to get into power. They are just as poor now as the day he entered office and will be just as poor when he leaves. And "Money distribution" is nothing more than the Chavez and his cronies taking other peoples money and keeping it for themselves.
Chavez is not a dictator in fact he has won the last 3 elections the last one with 75% of the vote .
Didnt Zimbabwe have the same type of economic policy? Tell us dear Brian how that has worked out for Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe had a land redistribution where 100,000 whites had 50% of the best lands , of couse when he initiated this policy the Capitalist West clamped an econmic embargo on this country .

Foley,

46 years of a US embargo and sanctions prevents Cuba from fully attaning first world status

so that is what decides Cuba's fate?

guess Foley thinks my post is beneath his knowledge database. yippeee i won :)

Brian,

Time has demonstrated that equality is something that will never happen. cant you accept that?..... but you allready have.
And why is that ? Economic equality scares the wealthy , the reforms that Chavez is attempting to introduce have caused a mass panic with the ruling establishment . The only thing I realize about this capitalist system is that it allows others to feed off other workers . It is a system for institutionalized financial parasitism .
As far as # of poor people in U.S, you must consider that California alone is more populated than all of Australia.
I don’t see the parallel here , both Australia and America are wealthy nations Australia with 20 million people has a GDP higher than Indonesia with a population of 300 million . Yet in Australia people live on the streets and whole families live under the poverty line whilst rich rat fucks live in airconditiooned spacious and luxurious apartments . And the same principal applies to America so in that respect regardless of population differences between the US and Australia we are the same rapacious capitalist societies . When it is their time to sleep on the streets and beg for hand outs they then can look up and wonder why they are hated .
P.S-not sure the examples you copied show redistribution of wealth, at least not in a meaningfull way. maybe i'm missing something. but they look positive.
It’s a start but what is unforgiveable is the US provoking that coup and deliberately interfering in the election process to rid the nation of Chavez .
so that is what decides Cuba's fate?
Cuba unfortunately is a small nation completely at the US mercy ,. In fact the entire South and Central America live under similar parasitic conditions with the US hammer of the IMF , the entire region is a vast vassal state of US imperial usurpation . Cuba has been under an economic siege since 1960 a much murderous fate was handed to the Nicaraguans under the socialist Sandinistas their nation became a killing field to destroy them . Argentina , Brazil & Chile suffered US engineered coups and repression to stifle popular economic empowerment . A similar fate may be in store for the people of Venezuaela I hope what is started by Chavez rolls over the region if the people of the Latin and Caribbean nations act as one they can defeat the predatory power of the US and the EU .

Know how many Cubans die every year trying to get to America Foley ? On average now ? Huh do you ?

Stupid.

In Cuba nobody is poor, but nobody is rich either. They die coming to America because they want to become richer than the average Cuban. I don't think you thought of that statement very hard.

...In Cuba nobody is poor, but nobody is rich either. They die coming to America because they want to become richer than the average Cuban. I don't think you thought of that statement very hard.Perhaps there is hope for a more just humanity in the long run after all. Darwin seems to be at work here.

"Zimbabwe had a land redistribution where 100,000 whites had 50% of the best lands , of couse when he initiated this policy the Capitalist West clamped an econmic embargo on this country ."

Wow, sounds great on paper! You of course fail to mention that he kept most of the land and the rest he gave to his cronnies. You also fail to mention that Zimbabwes food production collapsed and now the country is in economic ruin. Once again, looks great on paper but once you look at the real situation land redistribution turns into "Hook up my buddies".

Wow, sounds great on paper! You of course fail to mention that he kept most of the land and the rest he gave to his cronnies. You also fail to mention that Zimbabwes food production collapsed and now the country is in economic ruin. Once again, looks great on paper but once you look at the real situation land redistribution turns into "Hook up my buddies".
Or the real reason for the economic meltdown is that the EU and the US has clamped a trade embargo on Zimbabwe and frozen their assests . The same syndrome Iraq suffered , not much you can do when you have been stifled of funds . And all because Mugabe wants to redistribute the land to the people , that is the penalty for interfering with private property of the wealthy class mass death and widespread depravation .

I don’t see the parallel here , both Australia and America are wealthy nations Australia with 20 million people has a GDP higher than Indonesia with a population of 300 million . Yet in Australia people live on the streets and whole families live under the poverty line whilst rich rat fucks live in airconditiooned spacious and luxurious apartments . And the same principal applies to America so in that respect regardless of population differences between the US and Australia we are the same rapacious capitalist societies . When it is their time to sleep on the streets and beg for hand outs they then can look up and wonder why they are hated .

you dont see the parallel in pointing out that 1 (one) state has a higher pop. than all of Australia???when you claim "there are massive #'s of poor in the U.S"? Brian being poor in U.S is not like being poor in parts of Africa or S.America. where poor people live in dirt huts and have nothing to eat.

many poor people in U.S are 300 pounds and sit at home all day watching t.v. or sit in a bar\pub all day long and live on public assistance.

Yet in Australia people live on the streets and whole families live under the poverty line whilst rich rat fucks live in airconditiooned spacious and luxurious apartments.

But Brian the majority of those rat fucks worked hard for what they have. You want to tell club them and take it? sounds more like dictatorship to me.

And why arent your Socialist buddies at the University handing over THEIR wealth to those suffering?

Communism.....give me one example of where communism (true communism) has ever been tried.

here i am debating with someone telling me about poverty who probably has more money than me...ironic. Did your 6 figure per yr. professor instill these wonderfull magical feel good values in you. These same people who ridicule religious people who ACTUALLY do take vows of poverty and DO work with the poorest of the poor.

i am more impresed with reality than your fantasies. You idealistic arguments may impress college girls but i know wehen i'm being j'd off.

I believe socialism has worked well on a small scale in Quaker communities, and kibbutzes.

you dont see the parallel in pointing out that 1 (one) state has a higher pop. than all of Australia???when you claim "there are massive #'s of poor in the U.S"?
The % of the poor in Australia is the same as America , it means conditions under capitalism is the same that’s my point .
Brian being poor in U.S is not like being poor in parts of Africa or S.America. where poor people live in dirt huts and have nothing to eat.
I think you are dialing the wrong number here , I have stated how unfair capitalism is when you have affluent nations like America with vast pockets of those in need .
many poor people in U.S are 300 pounds and sit at home all day watching t.v. or sit in a bar\pub all day long and live on public assistance.
Bullshit , they same the same thing here in Australia about dole cruisers living a lifestyle in pubs , what a load of shit who the fuck can afford to get drunk and feast on junk food on a weekly $150 dole/welfare payment ? When I was in America in 1984 I remember that asshole Ronald Reagan claiming there were solo mothers in Florida driving around in Cadillacs living the high life on welfare . And mugs like you fall for it .
But Brian the majority of those rat fucks worked hard for what they have. You want to tell club them and take it? sounds more like dictatorship to me.
Most have inherited such wealth and many of those came from financially stable families which enabled them to advance more easiliy than those from poor backgrounds . And what is your view of thise who are homeless ? Are they homeless by choice ? Are you saying like others that these human beings are homeless as a lifestyle choice ? How do you justify those without adequate shelter in a capitalist society which provides mansions and luxurious apartments to others ?
And why arent your Socialist buddies at the University handing over THEIR wealth to those suffering?
I don’t go to University , I have never gone to university .
Communism.....give me one example of where communism (true communism) has ever been tried.
Yugoslavia was a successful socialist model , Cuba taking into the fact that it is under a severe US embargo . Russia after the revolution of 1917 leaped frogged in 15 years from a backward bankrupt peasant serfdom state to a World Industrial power , until it suffered an apocalyptic invasion from the capitalist west in 1941 . here i am debating with someone telling me about poverty who probably has more money than me...ironic. Did your 6 figure per yr. professor instill these wonderfull magical feel good values in you. These same people who ridicule religious people who ACTUALLY do take vows of poverty and DO work with the poorest of the poor. Look mate I am a 42 year old man working in a machine tool assembly factory I earn a wage I am a drop out from school . In my observations about life under capitalism is one inequality and unfairness , where only those with wealth obtain it by parasitic methods and pass it on to their children . Frankly put this capitalist class are rats that needs to be disenfranchised of their ill gooten wealth and spread over to all . i am more impresed with reality than your fantasies. You idealistic arguments may impress college girls but i know wehen i'm being j'd off. You have no idea of reality it shows in your statements , in fact I say you have lived a very sheltered existence . And at one stage in your life you yourself have been on welfare as I have found throughout my life that those who have the most sanctimonious attitude to others themselves are guilty of the same transgressions .

Bullshit , they same the same thing here in Australia about dole cruisers living a lifestyle in pubs , what a load of shit who the fuck can afford to get drunk and feast on junk food on a weekly $150 dole/welfare payment ? When I was in America in 1984 I remember that asshole Ronald Reagan claiming there were solo mothers in Florida driving around in Cadillacs living the high life on welfare . And mugs like you fall for it .

:D

nah. i LOVE capitalism because i DONT have to work....at least not every day i could do pretty much whatever i want to do. i never collected public assistance but it IS there to help people. and i really have no desire to amass wealth, i have what i need...no one forces me to do anything, forces me to worship as i should, to dress as the other comrads do, to do the job assigned to me... no one.

i never knew i was like Ronny though. :m:

:D

nah. i LOVE capitalism because i DONT have to work....at least not every day i could do pretty much whatever i want to do. i never collected public assistance but it IS there to help people. and i really have no desire to amass wealth, i have what i need...no one forces me to do anything, forces me to worship as i should, to dress as the other comrads do, to do the job assigned to me... no one.

i never knew i was like Ronny though. :m:
You lucky man

Three Presidents (Venezuela, Brazil & Argentina) met in Sao Paulo yesterday (25 Ap 06) to discuss (among other things) construction of 6,600 Km, 23 billion dollar, 150 million cubic meters /day, natural gas pipeline from Venezuela to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with short spur off to Montevideo, Uruguay. It would pass thru Brazil, severing nine different states (more than half of Brazil and I guess about 80% of the market.) Pipelines are cheaper and more efficient than liquefied gas in large tanks on ships. Chavez will fund most of it and Venezuela is reimbursed from fees, later. I do not know if US is currently getting any Natural Gas from Venezuela but will want it later too via short turn around gas ships to a Gulf coast LNG terminal. (US is "losing" South America as more and more "leftist governments" come to power in reaction to US policies.)

Not well appreciated by many, is fact that Venezuela has much more oil than Saudi Arabia, but it is high density "oil sand" deposits (however from all I can lean significantly easier to extract and thus intrinsically* more attractive than Canada's, smaller deposits.)

Chavez has offered 10% Citco's (owned by Venezuela) heating oil to poor American's at significantly subsidized prices, but perhaps US gov, (which typically is not very concerned with the poor Americans) has refused to let this happen during winter of 2005/6. Does anyone know? Chavez also give oil to Cuba in exchange for more than 1000 Cuban doctors who staff the free clinics, and is current negotiating with China to sell Venezuela's oil to China instead of US, which current gets about 20% of its imports from Venezuela. If this happens, the price of gas in US should increase at least 1 or 2 dollars per gallon.

Saudi Arabia is very tight lipped about its production capacity, but most experts believe it can only expand if the undesirable sour deposits are tapped. I.e. there is little the Saudies can do to increase production. Even if they were to do so, there is already too much of this sour crude on the market to be processed in the existing refineries. (Reason why its price is DROPPING in reference to "light West Texas" grade crude.) Although Saudi Arabia can control information about their fields, they cannot control the information about shipping demand and rates. Both have been dropping for out of gulf oil. In part because of Iraq still not producing as it did Pre US invasion possible in anticipation of more stupidity of US in Iran. (The rates tend to be contractual and anticipate future demand for tankers.)

The combination of China trying, with considerable success, to lock up long term supplies of all commodities, including oil, and GWB's disruptive policies is what is making your US gas prices push thru the $3/gallon level. Yesterday on LME, Zinc = $3,405/ ton; Nickel = $20,200/ton & Copper > $7/lbs and all three were historically new highs! (Smart people are fleeing the dollar for something of more intrinsic value.)

Most people think that speculators are part of the reason oil is so high (I was one until recently learned that speculators have actually been net sellers for several months as they took their profits.). It is true that oil demand is greater than current needs, but it is hedging by large companies, not speculators that is making this true. (For example, like China, a maker of plastic is now contracting for future delivery of the oil he will need later.)

Before GWB is out of office, gas at the US pump will exceed $5/gallon and the "consumer driven economy" will be in an accelerating down spin. - Billy T prediction you can check not to long from now.

But not a very bold one as already gas in Europe is between 6 & 7 dollars / gallon. This, smaller cars, shorter commutes, better and more widely used public transport along with Frances *05 nuclear electric power etc. has given Europeans an infrastructure much better than suburban USA and it dying central cities, to cope with the energy prices of tomorrow.
------------------------------
*Politically less attractive as Venesuela is changing the rules. (Wants 51% or usually 60% control of a "joint company" - Some of the big oil companies are accepting others are pulling out. - Short term there will be less oil available. The pipeline, if it is built, will mean no LNG from Venesuela for US in the long term.

An update to prior post (mainly from today's paper):

The natural gas pipeline is to go forward: Plan is to reach Manaus (Largest city on the Amazon R. with large "free trade" manufacturing zone) by 2010, and than get all the way to Montevideo, Uruguay by 2017.

Not mentioned, today, but related:

(1) Argentina recently cut off supplying gas to both Chile and Uruguay to meet its own needs. Uruguay and Argentina also have some dispute about which side of the river that separates them some large factory is to go. (There are peasants blocking the boarder crossing roads etc. - I think it is because both want the plant, but only one will get it, while both will suffer the river pollution it produces etc.)

(2) Morales of Bolivia is raising the price, asserting more control and ownership of the Bolivian gas fields. (Brazil's PetroBras has been developing them and seems to be willing to continue to do so under the less profitable terms now available. A large pipeline already delivers this gas to much of Brazil, including largest cities. - I cook with it. The gas field is one of the world's largest.) Highly probable IMHO is that part of the attraction of the new pipeline from Venezuela is to show that there is an alternative for Brazil to Bolivia.

(3) Years ago Chile took by force Bolivia's land that connected with the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia will not sell Gas to Chile as result and want land back. Chile has agreed to let Bolivia export gas to LNG ships (I think some is actually done) but not to the return of the land. Chile has been the most conservative country in South America, great friend of US every since the CIA had the elected president killed (On 9/11 BTW - may be why the 9/11 date was chosen - to show CIA that two can plan the murder others game.)

(4) Chile is finally getting revenge on the US and CIA for placing Pinochet in power (He killed many thousands of the "left" - often by drugging them and placing them in planes to be dropped live into the ocean. - The "disappeared ones" who's mothers still gather in silent protest in front of government buildings.) Pinochet is in and out of jail, his bad health "saving him." The most significant part of this revenge is the recent election of Chile’s first woman president, (Michelle Bachelet) a strong "leftist" Her father, a military general who opposed the destruction of Chile’s democracy by the CIA was tortured to death by Pinochet. You can imagine what the new US/Chile relationship will be.

US is losing its influence in South America and too busy elsewhere to do anything about it. - Brazil labor leader president (Lula) will be reelected this October for 5 years more. Chavez is very popular and democratically elected with his hands on a significant part of US oil supply. Bolivia's new president, Morales, is the first of the indigent Indian population, long abused by the US's agent government, to be elected and already making big changes. (CIA, if it can spare a hit team, will probably kill him soon) Peru's new president is of the same nature, but I forget the details, just now. Argentina’s president Kirchner is make an economic recovery after telling the World Bank to stuff it - defaulted on the debt, etc.

What has this democratically elected leader done so wrong to piss the US off?He called Bush a pendejo.

Stupid.

In Cuba nobody is poor, but nobody is rich either. They die coming to America because they want to become richer than the average Cuban. I don't think you thought of that statement very hard.
You are completely ignorant. My grandfather had the good fortune to escape from the communist hellhole known as Cuba. He has done very well in the capitalist US working in a steelmill. Just an average guy, worked his whole life, now retired in Florida. He flys all over the country visiting his family and various girlfriends [not many men make it to 86]

A few years ago he returned to Cuba to visit some family members still trapped in the prison called Cuba. People there live in abject poverty. EVERYONE IS POOR. He was propositioned by prostitutes asking for soap as payment. He asked his cousin to accompany him and serve as a guide. Sadly, this proved difficult as Cubans are not allowed in Cuban hotels. Old Castro doesn't want the wealthy forieners to see those dirty average Cubans.

Communism is EVIL. It is responsible for millions of deaths, suffering, and poverty. Capitalism is simply FREEDOM. Cubans try to escape because they live under tyranny and wish to live free. I thank God my grandfather left Cuba.

madanthoywayne,You mentioned that a prostitute propositioned your grandfather for a bar of soap,Well i also have been propositinoed by women here in the good o'le u.s of a and sometimes for as low as $5 u.s dollars.Capitalism=freedom? Yeah right only for the rich and privilaged!Cuba is suffering because of the u.s ECONOMIC EMBARGO. Do you really think if the u.s invaded/occupied and changed the regime in cuba that everything would be fine and dandy?LOL....We dont even take care of our own.What is most likely to happen is the u.s installs a goverment that they can manipulate into selling lands and cuban bussiness to american investors at dirt cheap prices ,the new bussiness owners would then employ cubans and only pay them 3rd world salaries that doesnt sound like freedom to me,Capitalism/imperialism yes! freedom? Hell no.

P.S Brian foley,your post are awesome! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!!!!

You mentioned that a prostitute propositioned your grandfather for a bar of soap,Well i also have been propositinoed by women here in the good o'le u.s of a and sometimes for as low as $5 u.s dollars.Capitalism=freedom?

a $5 pros. in U.S is free...uhh WAS free, the person was free to choose the addiction that enslaved them....even they would agree. not blaming them 'cause they dont realise\believe where the addiction will lead them......etc. etc.

They dont sell their bods for a few $$$ to feed their families :p. or because there are no other alternatives. think man think!!!

P.S Brian foley,your post are awesome! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!!!!

you foley cheerleader you.

alenjandro,Your saying that prostitutes choose the lifestyle they live and they are all addicted to drugs.Just like homeless people choose to be homeless:rolleyes:,Dont try analyzing what your shelterd existance knows little or nothing about.Most people who have a drug problem do so to escape the reality and the hopelessness of thier situation.According to your way of thinking,kids in u.s ghettos living in poverty choose to sell drugs join gangs and kill each other because that is the lifestyle they choose to live.The reality is the best these kids can expect is a 9-5 earning 26k a year while living paycheck to paycheck,With no hope of ever acquiring any real wealth. Because of thier background and education,And those are the lucky ones.One more thing,I dont mind that you disagree with me on a subject or contest any statement i may make,What i do mind is being called names:bugeye:

"In my observations about life under capitalism is one inequality and unfairness , where only those with wealth obtain it by parasitic methods and pass it on to their children . Frankly put this capitalist class are rats that needs to be disenfranchised of their ill gooten wealth and spread over to all ."

So let me get this straight: I bust my ass and get an education, and with my education I get a kick ass job, and with my hard earned money im supposed to give it to YOU because YOU decided to drop out?

I take it that you are giving your paycheck away to homeless people every week? I mean they have less money than you and you preach about spreading the wealth.

Your economic beliefs are nothing but personnel delusions to justify the poor choices you have made in your life.

P.S Brian foley,your post are awesome! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!!!!
And may I return the complement anybody with a hate of capitalism such as yourself is welcome around Brian Foleys bar anyday of the week . ;)
So let me get this straight: I bust my ass and get an education, and with my education I get a kick ass job, and with my hard earned money im supposed to give it to YOU because YOU decided to drop out?
Hey I dropped out , and I got any trade either to boot either , I assemble machine tools , I used to drive forkhoists and trucks and I worked in an abattoir . I drift in and out jobs but I own my own house , computer 2 cars , I do alright . And you have a huge student debt to pay off and a job which salary wouldnt be much more than mine and face the threat of unemployment like anyone else , if you cannot see the parallel here your are a capitalist drone .
I take it that you are giving your paycheck away to homeless people every week? I mean they have less money than you and you preach about spreading the wealth.
No my paycheck goes to keeping me and my familiy alive , homelessness needs billion$ not a paycheck to solve it , whence why I want this system overthrown .
Your economic beliefs are nothing but personnel delusions to justify the poor choices you have made in your life.
Yeah well when you lose your job and have as much as 6 to 12 months before finding another job as is the case in professional class employment ponder what I have written .

It is probably hopeless to continue trying to give and get information in this thread as most prefer to attack others, but to up date my informational post of 27th:

From today's Sao Paulo newspaper:

Venezuela has 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, (possibly much more with more exploration) and repeating more oil than Saudi Arabia, but it is not as desirable and harder to extract, but very economically viable at today’s prices.

The pipeline cost, at current interest rates, will cause the gas to be delivered all the way to Buenos Aires with minimum price corresponding to oil at $30/barrel (less than 1/2 the CURRENT price, but it will be 10 years before it gets to Buenos Aires and then oil will be well past "peak oil" and in today's dollars surely above $300/ barrel.) Major uncertainty is the delays that "environmentalists"** may be able to make in the courts, (Pipeline must pass thru the Amazon forest.) but even if they double the cost of the capital, it seems hard to believe that they will stop the line form eventually being built. (All they will do, in the end, is make the people pay several times more to cook their dinners, same as they have made people pay several times more for their electric power.)

Chavez will no doubt want to add some profit on top of the capital cost, but he has been very generous with Venezuela's oil. This is part of another problem, characteristic of state managed "central planned" economies. Perhaps I will start a thread to discuss their adverse impact on the world's current oil supply.
--------------------------------------------
**The quotes are there because these, usually well intended, but ignorant, "environmentalists" have done huge environment damage to the Earth. - People will use more a damaging energy sources, like coal, not go without energy. For example, in US their delay of nuclear power for more than 30 years, has made much of the electric power come from coal, which releases much more radioactivity into the air when it is burned than a nuclear power plant PRODUCING THE SAME energy would have! - Not to mention that nuclear power produces zero CO2 and zero SO2 emissions. That fish no longer can live in some Adirondack lakes, is just one minor "benefit" the "environmentalists" have produced with the coal-released SO2's acid rain.

The South is rising? South America, SA, that is. As I write, the presidents of Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela are meeting. Bolivia’s nationalization of its natural gas is why the meeting is now, but the bigger picture of SA’s energy supply is the topic (at least the main topic, I am sure). Chavez wants, and is, using the oil revenue to increase his and Venezuela’s position in the world and in SA.

After about 400 years of having its wealth removed from the Bolivia with nothing to show for it, Bolivia recently elected Evo Morales, a native Indian, who does not seem to know that campaign promises should be ignored after they get you elected. 74% of the gas I cook with comes from Bolivia. And now the tables are being turned. Instead of the 18% cut of profits for Bolivia, as was true a few years ago, the foreign companies now operating there have 180 days to leave or accept that 82% of the profits will go to Bolivia.

Chavez is supplying technical aid to Bolivia to help with the operation of the gas extraction / pipeline management, etc. Brazil’s president, former labor union leader and founder of the “workers party” (PT), has agreed that the gas does belong to Bolivia. (Brazil has long claimed all the minerals in the ground - if you happen to have some under your farm, you do not own it, so it would be hard to argue otherwise in Bolivia.)

Chavez will fund (with part of the $43 billion dollars earned from the oil in 2003 - probably twice that last year) a pipeline to distribute gas all the way to Argentina - See post below for more details. Brazil now uses about 80% of the gas Bolivia sells and the only existing pipeline for Bolivia to export is the same one that delivers gas to cities, like Sao Paulo, on the east side of Brazil

Venezuela is in process of becoming a full member of Mercosul. The two smaller members are not always happy with it being dominated by Brazil and Argentina, but as other SA countries will probably join this emerging trade group soon, I doubt they will leave. SA appears finally to be on the verge of getting its act together (While US is occupied elsewhere) as one economic union, basically with energy to export - Alcohol and some oil from Brazil, gas from Bolivia (the existing capacity of the Bolivia -Brazil pipeline is less than half used,) and oil and gas from Venezuela.

Brazil will get a “silicon foundry” for fabrication of ICs as part of the deal for accepting the Japanese digital TV system and already is the 3d or 4th largest exporter of airplanes, the developer of true flex-fuel cars (not those being introduce in US that still require 15% gas, but that can run on nay mix of gas and alcohol automatically sensing the mix and adjusting for it.) Rest of SA will follow Brazil and select the Japanese system - big loss for US and Europe, who want to keep their high tariff walls and farm subsidies.

In Summary: the US can forget about again dominating SA by playing off one country against the other, as it has in the past, if it ever rediscovers it neighbors to the south. Brazil and several others have either paid off the World Bank or told it to “stuff it” as Argentina did. It was via these loans with strings that the US controlled SA, but now the US sends the money to Venezuela and Chavez is passing it alone for the political support he gets (and giving small arms to the people of Venezuela) to make sure the US military does not try “regime change” there (US likes “democracy” only as long as it votes the way US wants it to.) China is rapidly becoming the buyer of raw material from SA. They probably will soon be taking some of the oil now going to the US.

I am not happy with these developments (all my grand children live in the US) but even if the US realized what is happening to the south, it is probably too late to change the final results. - A Southern continent that no longer cares what the US does or how US economy is going. Brazil’s currency became 40% stronger against the dollar since start of last year - that says a lot. I am not happy about that either, as my social security checks do not buy as much as they once did. I wish the US were better run, did not do such foolish things (Iraq/ soon Iran, deficit spend, etc.) but mine was only one vote and GWB was elected in spite of it.

Correction to post of yesterday:

Argentina's president was also present at the meeting to discuss SA's energy future. Today's newspaper's front page has photo of the four of them, arms on each others shoulders, like in a foot ball huddle! They have agreed the gas flow will not change and the price will be negotiated. I will no doubt be paying more to cook, but Bolivia's childern will get schools, see doctors, and eat more than once a day - so I do not mind paying about 50% more, I would guess.

After 400 years of their wealth being taken by foreigners, it is about time a child born in Bolivia has at least a 50/50 chance of living long enough to become a teenager! (Bolivia is easily the poorest nation in SA, if the standard of living is the criteria, but one of the richest if its natural resources are the criteria. -second only to Venezuela in energy.)

Later: I have read a little more in todays paper:
Poor of Bolivia have just received a 13.6% increase in the salary minimium. It will now be 500 Bolivianos per month. That is US$62.50/ month! I assume the standard work week there is like Brazil's 44/hours per week (half of saturdays added to 8hours on 5 week days) Or with 52 weeks/year tha hourly wage is $62.50x12/ (52x44)hours = 32,7 cents per hour. No wonder they chew coka leaves all day long to ease their hunger pains.

I have been to Venezuela a number of times both before and since Chavez. I have many friends who live in Venezuela, I can talk about Venezuela from first hand experience.

My opinion of Chavez is that he is solely motivated by personal and political ambition. He is driven by his inflated ego, not by any altruistic intention to really help the poor of Venezuela.

Firstly the posts on this thread stating 1% of the population are rich, gives the impression that the other 99% are in abject poverty. This is far from the truth. Yes there is a huge amount of poverty in Venezuela, there are millions living in poverty with insufficient housing, healthcare, education and struggling just to eat. This is totally unacceptable in Venezuela or any country of the world. And yes there is a small % of super rich Venezuelans who would be considered rich by the standards of any country in the world, and this too is totally unacceptable. But what is often forgotten are the millions of people in between, who whilst far from being rich have a quality of life that would be considered adequate by western standards. Yes as you drive out of Caracas there are miles of shanty towns, where people live in houses that us westerners wouldn’t park our cars in, but then there are also miles of modest but acceptable houses as well that are often forgotten when discussing these subjects. Many of these previously employed people are now out of work and the businesses are closing because the money is not flowing into the country or down from the rich anymore. The currency of the country has been devalued because of Chavez not as an attempt to thwart him.

And don’t think it is this small % of super rich elite that are the ones losing out under Chavez, don’t think they are the ones having their wealth redistributed. The Venezuelan super rich moved their money out of Venezuela long-time ago, most of them live in Miami in fact. It is ordinary people (as usual) who are the losers.

Now before I continue let me say that I am not a conservative, or a republican, or a capitalist, nor am I by any means rich in my own country. I am a socialist, I have socialist ideals and I always have voted socialist. Venezuela and Venezuelans have been abused for a long time by rampant corruption throughout it’s society and the unadulterated greed of the elite few. Venezuela needs change and it needs socialism… but it does not need Chavez.

Now for Chavez’s rampant personal ambition at the expense of the long-term future of the Venezuelan people;

Chavez has the worlds largest illiteracy program, this is a good thing he is doing. Or at least it would be if it stopped there. He has decided to add to the fast track literacy program by fast tracking a high school diploma, even teaching and nursing qualifications. In any country in the world it takes years of hard work to achieve these qualifications. The poor of Venezuela are being handed them in a few months. This is great vote winner for Chavez and gives him some great statistics to wave on the world stage, but mickey mouse qualifications will not help Venezuela’s long term economy or infrastructure.

Chavez is also importing teachers from Cuba. and meanwhile I have friends in Venezuela who have ordinary degrees or high school education who would love to work as teachers or as anything in fact but they are unemployed and cant find work. Why not invest in Venezuelans instead of paying Cuba – this is a move to further his political ambitions, not to support Venezuela long-term.

Training the poor and uneducated is essential, but this has to be proper and sustainable training that adds value to the individual and the larger economy, not the kind that just looks good on statistics.

Chavez imports doctors from Cuba as well. I have a friend who worked as a doctor in a Venezuelan hospital and recently lost her job. So she is now an unemployed doctor while Chavez still imports doctors from Cuba. The management of the hospital has gradually changed in recent years to pro Chavez people as well (Chavez seeks to secure his position with extreme cronyism). Accusations in Venezuela are that the Cuban doctors, teachers (and thousands of other unqualified Cubans who seem to be increasingly appearing in Venezuela) are voting – obviously for Chavez.

What Venezuela needs and does not have under Chavez is sustained and well planned investment into the economic infrastructure of the country. Investment in a manufacturing base that can add value to Venezuela’s wealth of natural resources and create real jobs for its people. It will not get this because Chavez is too busy furthering his own worldwide ambition and trying to secure his life long presidency in his own country (via constitutional changes that he has already attempted). Instead Chavez has land redistribution. Now giving a homeless person somewhere to live on some land that is being put to no better use is not a bad idea in itself, but all you are ending up with is small communities of very basic housing on land away from the cities with no jobs – they have a few chicken and grow some corn, but this is Chavez’s dream for Venezuela that the poor will be self sufficient living off their own land, I mean even ideologically this is unsound and pragmatically it will never work.. Sure he has introduced some subsidised community shops and farms (yes helpful but not a long term solution), but with the same investment in industry, commerce and proper training for its population, the country would surely do much better.

Remember Venezuela is a country twice the size of France with only a third of its population. Even the Chinese government has a more forward thinking approach than Chavez. All Chavez’s policies are clearly in place to win votes and draw attention to himself on the world stage and have nothing to do with really helping the countries poor (or any of its population) in the long term.

When I first visited Venezuela, although crime was higher than we would expect in Europe, it was a relatively safe county (compared with others in the region). Now the crime there is terrible, I know people who have been robbed at gunpoint on almost a monthly basis, ordinary Venezuelans. Often these crimes go up-reported as the police are under staffed and under financed and usually do not have the inclination or resources to do anything about it. Chavez should be putting the countries oil billions into funding a police force that can restore law and order in this ever declining country. Instead he would rather fund political gimmicks like a TV network or cheap oil to USA deprived areas.

Under Chavez you now have to ask the governments permission to withdraw money form your own bank and buy foreign currency to be able to travel and see friends and relatives abroad. The government limits the amount of money per trip. No one can travel without money, so this basically means the state has control over who can leave the country and when they can go – scary eh.

Venezuela is one of the richest oil producing countries with a wealth of other natural resource that countries like Saudi Arabia don’t have – there is simply no need for this quasi communism that Chavez is trying to introduce. Just sensible reform (measures against corruption, crime and poverty) and sound economic management.

He is a dictator, doing it slowly, he is with closed ties with Cuba´s tyrant: Castro.

Its alway nice to hear from people with first hand knowledge, Chaves is the same as to many others, self agrandisment at the cost of others!

He is a dictator, doing it slowly, he is with closed ties with Cuba´s tyrant: Castro.

And of course like all dictators one of the main things he is doing is buying arms (from russia and china), and arming civilian militia.!

Even his own generals have said that the russian weapons he is buying are not suitable for the type of miltary venezuela has, and the possible operations they may be employed in!

So why is he doing it? As a slap in the face to america. Who suffers? the venezuelan people (as usual).

And of course from Russia's point of view. They have huge stock piles of weapons they want to get rid of, Chavez is the chump with the fat wallet. they are laughing all the way to the bank. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Its alway nice to hear from people with first hand knowledge, Chaves is the same as to many others, self agrandisment at the cost of others!

In the nine years that Chavez has had in power there is no noticable differnce to the 'lot' of the poor. I know what I am saying is based on subjective evidence, but surely there would be some noticable difference to the naked eye if he were such a hero to the poor.

If anything things seem worse now than nine years ago. The crime rate has certainly gone up, and if you want to link crime to poverty, what does that tell you amount the number and conditions of the poor.

...In the nine years that Chavez has had in power there is no noticable differnce to the 'lot' of the poor....Are you claiming that they had medical service before the cuban doctors came? OR that they do not have free medical service now?

Are you claiming that they had medical service before the cuban doctors came? OR that they do not have free medical service now?

I am saying that there was free healthcare before Chavez.


If you don’t want to take my word for it I found this on wikpedia. Note that it says until some time in the 80’s it was the best funded in the region.


“Extensive inoculation programs and the availability of low- or no-cost health care provided by the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security have made Venezuela's health care infrastructure one of the more advanced in Latin America. Once the most comprehensive and well funded in the region, the health care system has deteriorated sharply since the 1980s.”


I will say that there has always been huge gap between private and public healthcare though, so yes improvements are needed. I am not saying Chavez is completely neglecting healthcare btw, just that his policies are short sighted, and intended to grab personal attention and further his political ideologies and ambition just as much as solve the problems at hand.





I also found this this on wikpedia while I was there,

“Critics of President Hugo Chávez Frias and the social and political agenda of his Movement for the Fifth Republic have alleged that the Cuban Misión Barrio Adentro I medical professionals are agents and propagandists acting for the ruling Communist Party of Cuba. They allege that these professionals were invited to Venezuela by the Chávez administration to indoctrinate the wider Venezuelan population. The Venezuelan Ministry of Health says that Cuban professionals were needed because it was unable to find a large enough supply of adequately-trained Venezuelan doctors willing or able to serve in impoverished districts and barrios. Venezuela's barrios are often crime-ridden, lack such basic services as water and sewerage, and are thus unattractive prospects to the predominantly affluent and upper class Venezuelan physicians. The Venezuelan Medical Federation, the largest association of medical doctors in Venezuela, has lobbied vigorously against Mission Barrio Adentro, and is currently locked in a legal dispute with the Chávez administration over the legitimacy of the Cuban doctors' licensure and practice.”


But even if we assume for a minute that Chavez is right and the is a lack of Venezuelan doctors, what do you do a) train Venezuelan doctors - in 9 years he could have trained thousands from scratch; or b) ignore Venezuelans and import Cubans. The first excerpt (above) has already stated that the infrastructure is there.

I am not happy with these developments (all my grand children live in the US) but even if the US realized what is happening to the south, it is probably too late to change the final results. - A Southern continent that no longer cares what the US does or how US economy is going. Brazil’s currency became 40% stronger against the dollar since start of last year - that says a lot. I am not happy about that either, as my social security checks do not buy as much as they once did. I wish the US were better run, did not do such foolish things (Iraq/ soon Iran, deficit spend, etc.) but mine was only one vote and GWB was elected in spite of it.

Holy fuck. America is home to 4% of the world's population, and for the past 4 decades has been the world superpower. You're going to have to realize that America no longer is "god" on the international stage, and is slowly joining the rest of the world in the unfortunate rat race.

Unfortunately most Americans have become so secure in richness that they're having a hard time coping with this. I don't know if what you're expressing is either worry, or that all-so-prevalent arrogance that Americans seem to believe they deserve to remain #1.

Either way, the smart thing to do is look forward, not back.