U.S.-Venezuela Rift Won't Stop With Obama

Washington Post: Sea Exercises With Russia This Week Is A Sign Hugo Chávez Will Continue Be A Challenge

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Juan Forero.

---

The arrival of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and a naval squadron in Venezuela this week is an unequivocal message to President-elect Barack Obama that his most nettlesome challenge in the Americas will be Venezuela's populist government and its oil-fueled crusade against U.S. influence, political analysts say.

President Hugo Chávez, who once called President Bush "the devil," has held out his hand to Obama and expressed a willingness to reengage Washington after expelling the U.S. ambassador in September. Chávez also describes his scheduled meeting with Medvedev on Wednesday and the joint naval maneuvers with the Russian flotilla as friendly exchanges that are not designed to provoke the United States.

But despite Chávez's conciliatory words, Obama faces the task of blunting the pretensions of a country intent on building alliances with American adversaries, including Iran and, critics say, Marxist guerrillas in neighboring Colombia. Obama also faces more immediate worries, including two wars, looming questions about Iran's nuclear ambitions and a resurgent Russia.

Venezuela poses no strategic risk. Chávez, though, has worked energetically this decade to fill the vacuum created by declining U.S. influence in Latin America, a product of Bush administration policies that were unpopular here. In the process, Chávez has become perhaps the world's most vocal anti-American leader and structured an alliance with figures unfriendly to Washington in countries as divergent as Nicaragua and Belarus.

"Obama's dealing with a country that in the past eight or nine years has been taking a very strongly anti-U.S. position that puts the United States in a central negative role," said Peter DeShazo, a former U.S. diplomat who oversees the Latin American program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "Chávez's whole revolution is based on supplanting the influence of the U.S. in the region."

Under a narrative that has become a cornerstone of foreign policy here, the United States is determined to kill Chávez, seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves and ensure that Venezuelans remain subservient to "the empire." Like his close ally in Cuba, Fidel Castro, Chávez represents those subjugated by the United States. His role is to form a union with like-minded nations to thwart a U.S.-dominated "uni-polar" world.

Venezuela has entered into economic agreements with President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who has been called Europe's last dictator, and signed contracts worth $4.4 billion to buy assault rifles, military helicopters and combat aircraft from Russia. Venezuela has built a tight alliance with Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, who is sharply at odds with the United States, and has subsidized oil sales to Cuba.

"It should not surprise anyone in the United States," Bernardo Álvarez, Venezuela's ambassador to Washington until September, said in a recent interview. "From the moment Chávez was elected, he planted the system of multi-polarity, and not uni-polarity."

In September, Chávez said that Venezuela had become a strategic ally of Russia and that the military exercises represented "a message to the empire: Venezuela is no longer poor and alone, exploited and humiliated."

As Russian sailors, decked out in black-and-white uniforms, arrived Tuesday at the port of La Guaira, the Venezuelans made a point of providing a memorable welcome to Russia in its first big military deployment to Latin America since the Cold War. A 21-gun salute greeted the sailors as they lined the bow of the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko. The pride of Russia's navy, the nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great, was anchored offshore.

Yet the Venezuelan government's rhetoric was far more subdued than it was in September when the deployment was announced and Chávez declared: "Go ahead and squeal, Yankees." Venezuela has faced hard economic and political realities since Chávez's meeting with Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Russia that month.

The worldwide economic crisis has left Venezuelan crude at $40 a barrel, diminishing Chávez's ability to project himself on the world stage. And Sunday, Venezuela's once-hapless opposition won some of the most important cities and states in nationwide elections, dampening Chávez's efforts to change the constitution to permit his indefinite reelection.

Michael Shifter, a senior policy analyst with Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, said it might also become harder for Chávez to cast the United States as the villain with a young, liberal black man in the White House. Still, Shifter said, the Obama administration will probably have many of the same interests the Bush administration has had in Latin America.

"Bush lent himself to that narrative," Shifter said. "He was the perfect foil. My guess is Chávez is going to try to put Obama in that spot, but it will take some work."

The assistant U.S. secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, Thomas Shannon, said Chávez is probably trying to adjust to the new realities in Washington. Shannon noted that Chávez has made conciliatory comments.

"So rhetorically, he's actually created all kinds of options for himself," Shannon said. "And he's obviously exploring some options now with this new administration."

The Venezuelan government, through its embassy in Washington, called Obama's election "historic" and said it paralleled the arrival of several left-leaning leaders in South America this decade. "We are convinced the time has come to establish new relations between our countries and in our region, based on respect for sovereignty, equality and true cooperation," the embassy said.

The Venezuelans frequently bring up the question of sovereignty when they express fury at U.S. funding of various civil society groups in Caracas, many of which are opposed to Chávez. Details about that assistance, contained in documents made public in Washington in 2002 after a failed coup against Chávez, have been wielded here as proof the United States helped hatch the plot.

But the Venezuelans also complain that their sovereignty is being violated when U.S. officials raise concerns about issues important to the United States, such as the trafficking of cocaine across Venezuela or the threats made by Chávez against the media and opposition figures.

Political analysts and diplomats say the Obama administration is unlikely to remain quiet about these and other concerns, though the approach might be different from that taken by the Bush administration. If Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, the U.S. approach to Venezuela could be tough, especially on issues such as Iran and the fight against terrorism. Clinton, like Obama, is a strong supporter of Israel; her husband is a staunch supporter of Colombia's leadership in its war against drugs and rebels.

Shannon, the assistant secretary of state, said that for now he foresees the Obama administration following through on the Bush administration strategy of building ties with big, friendly countries in the region, such as Brazil and Mexico.

"It will be up to the new administration, I think, to define how it wants to engage with Mr. Chávez and the Venezuelan government," Shannon said. "So at this point in time, number one, I wouldn't hope for too much. But number two, we've got a lot going on in the region, and he's going to have to get in line."

[cbs_oliver]

"Under a narrative that has become a cornerstone of foreign policy here, the United States is determined to kill Chavez, seize Venezuela''s vast oil reserves and ensure that Venezuelans remain subservient to "the empire.""

Yup. That pretty well sums up the a the recent and past behavior of the US and US/European interests over the last 100 years or so in the Americas.

[louiville2]

Another typical self loathing imbecile.(see oliver below)

[used2bfedup1]

It may not stop but Obama will handle it better than Bush did or would!

[ramos937]

President Hugo Chavez, who once called President Bush "the devil," has held out his hand to Obama and expressed a willingness to reengage Washington after expelling the U.S. ambassador in September. Chavez also describes his scheduled meeting with Medvedev on Wednesday and the joint naval maneuvers with the Russian flotilla as friendly exchanges that are not designed to provoke the United States.
---------------------------------------

Much of the problem was the personal anomisity between Chavez and Bush. Obama should, after 1/2009, instruct the ambassador to open talks with Chavez. Things go well - good. Things do not go well - we are back where we started.

[louiville2]

Obama is on again "Big smile Big smile" as he tries to stop our failing economy on the news he was elected. He just missing the fuzzy sweater and the roaring fire in the background as we head into another Carterish failed economy.

[jackp32]

The rift would come to an end if Obama would appoint Chavez co-president. Once that happened, the US could give him a nuclear bomb and the means to launch it. Then Obama could claim proof that he can work with dictators from the t*urd world.

[torva-2009]

Chavez and his allies...like Belarus, Nicaragua, Boliva, Iran, Russia, Ecuador, Argentina...yeah, I''m shaking in my boots - NOT!

For all of his bluster what has Chavez accomplished? Latin America, despite the resurgence of psuedo-socialist governments is NO more unified than it was 10 years ago, 20 years...big yawn...

So what if Russia sent 50% of its working (and aged fleet) to visit Chavez...if the Russians wanted to send a real signal their ships would have visited Cuba!

[louiville2]

Another "liberal" who knows the facts and ignores conservative opinions based off of less than adequate intelligance. The above statement comes from another idiot conservative who "just can''''t understand" why the country voted for Obama. Here''''s an idea: take a look at the past eight years. As a wise person stated, if you''''re not appalled, then you haven''''t been paying attention...

Posted by tj217

LOL you''re not watching your fearing leader Obama who is live right now showing all the signs of a drowning man. AHAHAHAHHA

[louiville2]

Oh yes. The economy did so well under your demagogue Reagan. There was a recession long into his first term in office, so you cannot blame all of the failure on Carter. And of course, you idiot conservatives are in a position to blame Obama for the past eight years of lies, secrets and ultimate economic debacle. Blame those who are truly repsonsible for this, as the rest of the voting public did when they sent these morons to the house. This is ALL the Republicans'''' fault.

Posted by tj217

You mean after Carter tanked the economy? And look at all the world respect Obama ("House N**") get''s. Man they know a fool when they see one why couldn''t you?

[frankfurt200]

It may not stop but Obama will handle it better than Bush did or would!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by used2bfedup1 at 10:42 AM

I don''t think anyone could do much worse. In most cases Bush just sat back and refused to get involved as corruption and greed ran wild in the market. The first greatest example was when Enron deliberately created an energy crisis designed to extort money from the people of California. Bush knew what was going on and did absolutely nothing. You can''t get any more worthless than that.

[xlib]

Where''s the love!! My goodness, here we thought the world and all its tyrannts would welcome the messiah with open arms.
Say, since your chosen one''s bff, ayers, visited hugo and there was a LOT of love between them, how about ayers steps in and fixes any "rift". Sounds like a plan to me.
Say, didn''t ayers and hugo get together for education reform?? The man should use all his contacts.

[louiville2]

Please take off your rose colored glasses (or in your case, whining Republican-colored glasses). Obama hardly has the look of a "drowing man" or a ''''deer in the headlights''''. If anything, he has the look of a man who is reassuring the American people that he understands the problem, and isn''''t going to waste any time trying to fix it. Understand this: If he fails, we all fail. If you had some semblance of class, you would know that. But, since you don''''t...

Posted by tj217

BLAH BLAH BLAH Right BwuahAHAHAH same ole BS of all talk no substance. Three press conferences and the months not out yet. Typical lawyer thinks he can talk himself out of anything.

[xlib]

tj217-ah, there it is, the old ploy of name calling. No other opinion matters but yours, right?? Let''s not forget that 48% of the country did not vote for your chosen one. Try learning about what is going on by visiting other sites besides this one and the dailykos.
I hear there''s a brown shirt in your size just waiting for you.

[centerfall94]

Where''''s the love!! My goodness, here we thought the world and all its tyrannts would welcome the messiah with open arms.

Posted by Xlib at 11:04 AM

He''s not even sworn in yet, fool.

Why do you hate America so much?

[frankfurt200]

It''s obvious that most neocons repeat word for word what their Limbaugh god tells them daily.

[xlib]

frankfurt-you are right on one account. Bush did just sit by but he also sat by as dodd, raines, johnson AND your chosen one made bundles of money from fannie and freddie. During the 2004 Congressional hearings the Republicans allowed themselves to be bullied by the usual race baiting and cries of "racism" from the likes of your maxine waters. The Republicans are at fault for allowing those lending practices to continue. Show us one Republican who made the big money the way your side did. Just one. BTW, I understand rubin is big on the chosen one''s economic team. He sure did a great job with citicorp.

[louiville2]

I''''m talking to one. And, show some respect for the man who defeated the old, decrepit piece of garbage in a presidential election, something Bush never did.

Posted by tj217

I''m more into measuring people by the content of their character. A talking head lawyer with no REAL experience who throws friends family under the bus when it suits him deserves no respect.

[frankfurt200]

your chosen one made bundles of money from fannie and freddie
**********

Source?

[xlib]

centerfall-THERE''S THE LOVE. My, my, cries of anti-americanism. Funny how that works. Listen, lib, I will continue to voice my opinion until they pull a "joe the plummer" on me.
And frankfurt-no Limbaugh here my leeming, my own opinions.

[centerfall94]

centerfall-THERE''''S THE LOVE. My, my, cries of anti-americanism. Funny how that works. Listen, lib, I will continue to voice my opinion until they pull a "joe the plummer" on me.
And frankfurt-no Limbaugh here my leeming, my own opinions.

Posted by Xlib at 11:11 AM

Hon, you can voice your opinion til the cows come home. That''s your right.

It has nothing to do with BEING right, which is apparently where you are confused.

Good luck on that.

[xlib]

frankfurt-just go to dogpile.com put in contributions from fannie mae and freddiemac. Your dodd in number one with a ton of years in Congress and your chosen one is number 2 with exactley 143 days in congress. Look it up for yourself, it''ll have more meaning.
Do you really, really think your guy is clean, now really??

[frankfurt200]

Limbaugh here my leeming, my own opinions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Xlib at 11:11 AM

That''s exactly what Limbaugh tells his listeners.

[frankfurt200]

frankfurt-just go to dogpile.com

**********

You do dogpile. You make the accusations you support them. The accusation you just made is that Bush stood by while Obama made millions of fannie mae. Proof?

[xlib]

centerfall-geez, and hear we''re always told how open minded the left is. Now, just who gets to decide who is right and who is wrong?? How does that work?? Come on, share all that liberal wisdom.

[louiville2]

Wah Wah Wah. In case you haven''''t figured it out yet, Obama does not take office until 1/20/09. Today is 11/26/08. So, if you''''re going to whine about someone ''''not doing anything'''', what you should do is talk about the idiot that is still in office, Bush. Until 1/20/09, this is his mess. Stop whining so much. Is that all you idiot conservatives do?

Posted by tj217

AHAHHAHA a "red herring" eh even you can''t explain why Obama is giving sooo many press conferences. Afraid to see the truth eh? Obama doesn''t have it! He can convince the gullible like you but certainly not those with experience that Obam should have had before he ran for office.

[frankfurt200]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Rowdydfw at 11:13 AM

Oh face it, there is nothing Obama does that you will ever find satisfactory. However, the market has been reacting positively to his press conferences and announcements, which has been the purpose of them from the start. If he did nothing you would be on here griping about that. Nothing will suit your shameless hatred. It is a given that you don''t like him...END OF STORY.

[xlib]

frankfurt-typical twisting of what I said. Now, listem closely and try not to go to wild on the name calling. I told you my source, the source you asked for. It''s there in black and white.
You know, your side won, so I don''t understand the continued hate, racor, name calling, spewing hate, etc, etc. What the h&*l, libs, celebrate.
And as for the "brown shirt" comment, took that from the chosen ones speech on 7/2 in Colorado Springs where he called for a civilian militie, and I quote,"as well funded, armes and powerful as our military". Now, just why would we need that?? Also, guess you don''t have any problem with what happened to "joe the plummer" for having the AUDACITY to ask him a question. No problem at all.

[frankfurt200]

I told you my source Xlib
********

Sure you did. You gave me dogpile.com to prove that Obama made millions of fannie mae while Bush did nothing.

[notblue]

That''s because Chavez is a thug, a dictator, a pig, a communist/socialist, his ignorance and arrogance will be his undoing.

[louiville2]

Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning is a bestselling book by Jonah Goldberg.

In the book, Goldberg argues that contrary to conventional wisdom, fascist movements were and are left-wing. He states that both modern liberalism and fascism descended from progressivism, and that prior to World War II, "fascism was widely viewed as a progressive social movement with many liberal and left-wing adherents in Europe and the United States".[1] Goldberg argues that over time, the term fascism has lost its actual meaning and instead has descended to the level of being "a modern word for ''heretic,'' branding an individual worthy of excommunication from the body politic" and that this devolution of the meaning is not new, noting that George Orwell had observed this in 1946 when he described the word as no longer having any meaning except to signify "something not desirable".[2][3][2] Goldberg writes that there was more to fascism than bigotry and genocide and, in fact, that bigotry and genocide were not so much a feature of fascism itself, but rather a feature of Nazism, which was forced upon the Italian fascists "after the Nazis had invaded northern Italy and created a puppet government in Salr."[4]

George Carlin on HBO''s Real Time with Bill Maher when he said that "when fascism comes to America, it will not be in brown and black shirts. It will not be with jackboots. It will be Nike sneakers and smiley shirts. Smiley-smiley."

[xlib]

frankfurt-hey, speaking of corruption I understand rangel is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee. See, you won''t hear of that here or on any other msm source. Typical, if you don''t hear about it or see it, doesn''t happen.

[notblue]

All American presidents are noble with noble intentions, the left sided against Bush even siding with a socialist thug like Chavez to get their man elected , now that the election is over it would be nice if the left admitted the truth in regards to Bush, America and Dictators like Chavez. Probably hoping for too much though.

[frankfurt200]

In the book, Goldberg argues that contrary to conventional wisdom, fascist movements were and are left-wing.
************

Sorry, but fascists are the extreme right. They are all about people serving the state exclusively. They are not about rights at all, as was demonstrated by Hitler''s hatred for anything not conservative like the state churches (Lutheran and Catholic), homosexuals, and so on. Hitler promoted the idea of militarism and cult-like natonalism. None of this typifies the liberal.

[louiville2]

That''''s easy. He is trying to reassure idiots like yourself that there is going to be no learning curve when he gets in the White House. he is trying to tell you blithering idiots that he has a plan, that the situation is under control, and he is working with the Congress---unfortunately, that also incldes Republiscum---to rescue this economy. Also, while you''''re whining about him, why hasn''''t Bush come on air to settle nerves? He did so to push a bailout package. Why doesn''''t he do it now? I answered your question, so answer mine...

Posted by tj217

He has had press conferences dimwit I guess you missed them because of that starry eyed look at Obama''s talking point sites.

[frankfurt200]

Posted by Xlib at 11:24 AM

I''m sure Limbaugh or Hannity will keep you informed.

[jsklinemn]

Mr. Obama isn''t even in office yet, and already folks are treating him as though he has real power now. Very strange. The next 4 years (assuming he makes it that far) are likely to be very interesting. He even has that silly sign on his podium stating "OFFICE of the President -- Elect"... What the he!! is that about?? This is looking more and more like the Carter years every day.

As for Chavez'' This doesn''t surprise me. He had better not cavort with others who are known to be hostile to the US because it would not bode well for him later on into his first year. There are people watching and an impeachment can happen no matter how popular you are if you screw it up.

[louiville2]

Yes, and I had former co-worker who had set up a bunch of computers to ''''prove'''' the existence of extra-terrestrial life. Would you like to read one of his books too, since you''''ve already gone off the deep end?

Posted by tj217
AHAHAHA I guess Orwell is sucking vacuum to. I just love Neo-Marxist fascists the wonder the world looking for more power.

"A liberal is a power worshiper without the power."
- Orwell, George

[lloydbest1]

Meanwhile, back to Chavez....

Hugo, we have a saying here (that may have been borrowed from the Arabs) that goes like this:

"When you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas."

Any alliances you make with Russia need be treated VERY carefully. Their history of ruthless pursuit of national self-interest and naked empire building at the expense of their neighbors and trade partners is almost as fearsome as ours. They''re no better.

With oil now at roughly a third the price it was in July your ability to pursue the reforms that brought you to your office has been severely impacted. You do not need to spend $4B your treasury does not have on second rate Russian cast-off small arms that never have worked very well. You also can no longer afford sell oil at discount to your international soul mates.
Focus, instead on raising the living standards of your poorest. So far, you haven''t done much better a job of that than has Calderon - and you opposition has taken notice.

Obama is not Fidel. But neither is he the ideologically driven Right-Wing whack job who appointed himself president. "O" may attempt to open a dialog with you and yours that Bush never even considered. I would strongly recommend you join.

[questionnews]

I see the two sides are just as divided as they were before the election. Way to move forward folks!

Keep in mind:
Go too far to the right & you end up with Hitler--Who killed millions of people next door.

Go too far to the left & you end up with Stalin--Who killed millions of his own people.

So, for you far left & far right folks, be careful about how hard you want to steer the country. Although from reading CBS posts the last year or so, some of you would be OK with that.

[lalabradle]

You mean after Carter tanked the economy? And look at all the world respect Obama ("House N**") get''''s. Man they know a fool when they see one why couldn''''t you?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by louiville2 at 10:56 AM : Nov 26, 2008
+ report abuse

The only fool we all see is you. Get over it, because whether you like it or not Obama is going to show the white boys how to run a country. Any time a black person gets involved in anything it''s done better. (Golf, tennis for example) LOL!!!!!!

[xmissile]

An easy way to short-circuit Chavez would be to find a way to normalize relations with Cuba. As part of a quid pro quo opener, we could suggest that they free all political prisoners. In return we offer to null the lease on Gitmo. Let''s see where it goes from there.

[louiville2]

I think he is since he is dead. A conservative without power is a good thing, since the only thing they do when they get power is abuse it.

Posted by tj217

Hmmmm Orwell was a liberal but he railed against the left fascists. BTW I didn''t vote for Bush, for the same reason I didn''t vote for Obama. I believe in more then one party rule unlike you and the rest of the gutter snipes wallowing in the gutters. It''s all about "Getting even" isn''t it?

[missingamerica]

Go too far to the left & you end up with Stalin--Who killed millions of his own people.

Posted by Questionnews at 11:49 AM : Nov 26, 2008

Not to support Stalin, but he was no Communist - he wasn''t even a "leftie", and certainly not a "liberal".

He was just a strong-man dictator wearing a Red Star.

They are all the same; they seek sole and absolute power, utilizing whatever dogma is available as camouflage.

Sorta like King George and Queen Richard.

[louiville2]

The only fool we all see is you. Get over it, because whether you like it or not Obama is going to show the white boys how to run a country. Any time a black person gets involved in anything it''''s done better. (Golf, tennis for example) LOL!!!!!!

Posted by lalabradle

What a racist bigot (Golf, tennis for example) LOL!!!!!! and you forgot shooting each other and buying $200 ($5 to make) sneakers.

[louiville2]

Funny that the one who made that house n-er comment was one of the al Queda big wigs. Now you''''re quoting al Queda? Glad to see you take their opinions to heart.

Posted by rafterman1

Went right over your head eh? Had trouble finding the ON switch this morning? FYI It''s a sign that those who wish us harm think he''s incompetent. Get ready for more bombings etc...

You''re part of the 35% as in a poll taken of Americans showed that 35% didn''t know that the sun is a star of those 95% said they were democrats!

FYI the SUN is A STAR but allot closer OK?

[billh971]

Hey, alot of whites like me voted him in. Last time I looked blacks were still 14 percent of the population. And lets not forget Obama himself said he was a mut. His mother was whiter than I am. Lets forget about race. Obama needs OUR support. Blacks, whites, hispanics. And for the 47 percent that didn''t vote for him, WELL GET OVER IT. Chavez isn''t such a bad guy. He disobeyed OPEC in the 90''s and was buddies with Clinton. Made our gas prices go way down. He gives heating oil to the poor in Maine, Canada, and Alaska. Lets face it EVERYTHING we buy at Walmart is made in a Communist country. CHINA! We didn''t win the cold war. We reinvented Communisum. We have one planet. CAN''T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

[louiville2]

really? So I guess you good white folks solve all of your conflicts with ''''honor'''', right. Now, that is a joke. So I guess you good white folks don''''t murder one another ever? The crime data do not prove that to be to be the case. If you''''re so concerned about how much we pay in order to get a pair of shoes, why not offer them a free pair?

Posted by tj21

ROFLMAO I''m half "Native American" dimwit. Facts the number one killer of young black men is other young black men not the same for white comunities. Back are safer living in white communities then in living in Black communities Fact. My suggestion would be for them not to buy overinflated sinkers but books and computers.

[questionnews]

Go too far to the left & you end up with Stalin--Who killed millions of his own people.

Posted by Questionnews at 11:49 AM : Nov 26, 2008

Not to support Stalin, but he was no Communist - he wasn''''t even a "leftie", and certainly not a "liberal".

He was just a strong-man dictator wearing a Red Star.

They are all the same; they seek sole and absolute power, utilizing whatever dogma is available as camouflage.

Sorta like King George and Queen Richard.

Posted by ibsteve2u at 12:00 PM : Nov 26, 2008

I took your response seriously & read the Wikipedia text regarding Stalin & nothing indicated that he wasn''t a leftist & by all that''s there he certainly appears to be a communist. He was very loyal to Lenin & his ideals. After spending a great deal of effort crating the "Cult Of Personality" he did begin to buy into his own propaganda & from there became a paranoid tyrant. It appears the majority of his career he was a very loyal leftist & communist. Where you just trying to play me or do you know something that Wikipedia doesn''t.

[louiville2]

Who cares? You are a bigot, though...

Posted by tj217

Yeah like my grandmother said "It takes one to know one". ;)

[petro49l]

Venezuela and Colombia have excellent off shore oil reserves. Leases for drilling petroleum will break O.P.E.C.''s hold on America. The cartel practices political graft in the United States. This outgoing Congress pocketed millions of dollars from wealthy Saudi contributors.