13 March 2008

Venezuela Finally "Disturbing" United States

I've written about the South American thug Hugo Chavez more than once and still believe there is a strong possibility he'll move on Colombia soon.  Although the State Department has now said that the information found on laptops used by FARC leaders was "disturbing", they're not ready to add Venezuela to the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"The information that has emerged so far is worrisome. I would even call it disturbing because it does seem to indicate a degree of dialogue and discussion between members of the government of Venezuela and the FARC that have to be explained," he told reporters. "But ... we are very early in the process and it would be a mistake to jump to conclusions."

Let's recap a bit to see if we're feeling froggy.  First, Chavez buddies up with known sponsors of terror like Ahmadinejad and Castro.  Second, the FARC computers.  Third, constantly attacks the United States in speeches and at the United Nations, calling our President "the devil".  Fourth, gets really angry when a terrorist buddy is killed in another country... mad enough to cut off diplomatic relations and send troops to the border.  Fifth, threatens to cut off sales of oil to the United States even though nobody else will buy it.  Sixth, tries to nationalize a private company from the United States and refuses to consider any compensation for the theft.  Seventh...

Screw it, hell yes I'm feeling froggy.  I think I'll just go ahead and jump to the fat, juicy conclusion that this guy is a sponsor of terrorists, is a terrorist himself, and is probably impotent... ok, maybe I won't jump to that last one.  But, it would explain a lot, wouldn't it?  Put him on the list Condoleezza... make the jump, it's not that far.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 03:01:48 | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 I agree with you but I also think the Bush Administration can't, even if it agrees with us.  This is another in a long line of consequences from the "Bush lied, people died" meme:  The Bush Administration can't take the lead in identifying terrorism.  Instead, it has to wait until others (the public, the Democrats, France/Britain, etc.) clamor for something and only then can the Administration "reluctantly" acquiesce.

Of course, that doesn't stop the Administration from working behind the scenes to deal with Chavez and I assume/hope they are.

Posted by: DRJ at 13 March 2008@11:47:24 (wE7Og)

2 On one level you're right of course... that would be the politically wise thing for the administration.  One of the things I like about President Bush is that he has the moral courage to make a decision and go forward if he believes it to be the right thing.

Not so great when I disagree with him... but I can respect it. 

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 13 March 2008@12:16:42 (Q5ggV)

3 There is this argument against putting Chavez on the terrorism list:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/andres_oppenheimer/story/454645.html

Oppenheimer isn't exactly a fan of Bush--he's criticized almost everything the Administration has done regarding Latin America, most often basing himself on the idea that they are not paying the region enough attention--but he loathes Chavez.

Posted by: kishnevi at 13 March 2008@20:31:07 (FFHuv)

4 A fair argument and maybe correct. I don't think so though. By putting them on the list, we stop buying their oil. Stop buying their oil, their economy takes the hit. The economy takes the hit, the people take a more active role in removing the problem, which is Chavez.

If they're already disaffected with his policies because it screws up their lives, they're going to become more disaffected if continuing his policies screw up their lives even further. Nationalism isn't going to save him because he's beaten that horse to death already. Besides, they are a state sponsor of terrorism, let's call it as we see it and let the chips fall where they may. That's the morally courageous path.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 13 March 2008@22:18:51 (Q5ggV)

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