Posted on 11/26/2005 1:09:03 PM PST by FerdieMurphy
In a previous article, I predicted that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would replace Cuba's dictator Fidel Castro as the news media's and the American left's favorite communist. And just look at today's newspaper headlines, listen to broadcast news stories and Democrat Party soundbytes and you'll realize we are witnessing a budding love affair.
Chavez sees that he's strengthened his Latin American ties through generous oil deals. Now he is offering a sweetheart deal to the downtrodden of the United States. The deal begins with cheap heating oil to low-income people in two liberal bastions: New York and Massachusetts, and will be extended to other areas of the country.
Citgo Petroleum Corporation of Venezuela delivered an initial oil shipment to a Boston-area family this week. Eventually, more oil is expected to reach tens of thousands families starting next month, and hospitals, homeless shelters and other facilities in needy communities also are in line to get oil.
Sober minds see Chavez's generosity as a political maneuver aimed at discrediting President Bush and capitalism, a constant target of the leftist President's continued rhetoric. Chavez is destined to garner heartfelt gratitude from some Americans including American politicians who share Chavez's political philosophy, but wish to cover their beliefs with a facade of so-called liberalism. For instance, House Representative Jose Serrano, Democrat from New York, is seen on TV praising Chavez for his gift to America's poor. One would almost expect to hear Rep. Serrano chant, "Workers of the World Unite!"
And Chavez's plan seems to be working -- at least with those Americans who believe the nation owes them a living. Linda Kelly of Quincy, MA, an initial recipient of the gift of black gold, said she feels grateful to Chavez for the fuel that her family of five received this week at a 40 percent discount.
"He's doing the right thing," Kelly, 44, said in a phone interview Wednesday with the Seattle Intelligencer. "The people of Venezuela are lucky to have him. That's what government is supposed to be about -- taking care of the little guy." Perhaps someone should remind Ms. Kelly that there are flights to Caracas leaving US airports everyday. A simple flight to Venezuela and voila', a communist heaven on earth.
The constant barrage of entitlements and Democrat and Republican giveaways have allowed this type of thinking to saturate the American psyche -- what can America do for me. One writer on a left-wing internet news e-zine, Vheadlines, urged Americans to fight Bush and work for peace with the people of Venezuela. But not all the praise comes from the radical left. Many so-called liberals and moderates see Chavez's gesture as his way of reaching out and showing he's not the lunatic we saw when he jumped up and down like an anti-American fanatic in a stadium full of America haters in Argentina during an economic summit attended by Bush. The news media including Fox News Channel are all over this story with just enough spin to make Hugo a hero.
And Chavez is quite open about his motives. He said that he's leading a socialist "revolution" and calls his program an act of justice for poor Americans, whom he says have been neglected by their own government especially during and after Hurricane Katrina. Venezuela sent extra, market-price oil shipments to the United States after Hurricane Katrina to help areas where Chavez accused Bush of not doing enough for survivors. As if $250 billion is not enough aid.
Of course, no American news story would be complete a rant against Bush. Chavez is quoted as saying Bush is a "madman" and said Venezuela must be prepared to repel a US attack if necessary. Washington denies such plans but has accused Chavez of endangering Venezuelan democracy and destabilizing the region. Sound familiar? Haven't we heard this before from the enemy within the US?
Chavez has been selling fuel to countries across Latin America and the Caribbean on the cheap, while at the same time extending low-interest loans and accepting partial payment using a de facto barter system. Latin American nations trade goods ranging from bananas to sugar for oil. Just imagine. I could fill up my tank with a bunch of Chiquita bananas. I wonder if he'll take Equal or Sweet & Low in lieu of sugar
If one believes Chavez really feels empathy for the poor, it's simply a matter of examining his treatment of his own poor. Chavez's aid for low-income Americans is misplaced because poverty in Venezuela is more serious despite Chavez's many social programs.
Patrick Esteruelas, an analyst with the New York-based think tank Eurasia Group, said the discount sales are a way for Venezuela to "compromise the White House position within the US" and amplify Chavez's voice in America.
Long considered a puppet of Fidel Castro, Chavez proposed offering fuel to poor American neighborhoods during a visit to Cuba in last summer. He even found allies in some congressional Democrats and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. What a shock!
"Chavez is spreading his influence by a good use of energy to people who need it," Jackson said in a phone interview from Las Vegas with a reporter from the Seattle Intelligencer. "So long as spreading influence achieves a noble purpose of relieving poverty and misery, it's a good thing." Of course, no reporter asked the good Reverend what he's doing personally to help the downtrodden, suffering poor in America this winter. He's busy in Las Vegas, which is probably his favorite city since what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.
This is disgusting!
This is disgusting!
What's the big deal? Let him sell all of us his oil on the cheap. What's he gonna do when Venezuela reaches peak production?
Citgo?! Darn it, I filled my tank at a Citgo station today at the NAVY Exchange in Portsmouth, VA. Naval Station Norfolk is Citgo too. So much for patriotism.
The one with the lowest price? I have neither the time nor the inclination to base my purchasing decisions based on some group's opinion of a certain company. I will base my decision for the most part on what company brings the needed product to the free market at the lowest price.
The fact that it's owned by the Venezuelan communist government is trumped by the fact that they maintain refineries in North America.
Marathon is the last of the American vestiges of the Standard break up. My understanding is that they still use a lot of Tex and gulf coast oil.
Seems the Navy Exchange may use citgo nationwide...same here at the Smokt Point Navy Exhange... Time to raise hell about this!
Pop quiz: Should drivers in the US buy gas supporting regimes run by:
A)Islamic Fundamentalists
B)Communist Ideologues
C)Drain America Firsters
This is what I'm aware of (Upper Midwest) : I'm sure I'll be corrected if mistaken:
Conoco (US)
Texaco (US)
Exxon/Mobil (US)
Marathon (US)
BP (UK)
Shell (Dutch)
Well on the bright side as you boycott perhaps Citgo will drop prices to gain business. More gas for me at a better price then.
Skipped over a Citgo station today just because of this.
Ping
Since it is estimated that Venezuela has a 17+% unemployment rate and over 47% of its population lives below poverty level....I think Chavez needs to pay attention in cleaning up his own backyard.
As Uncle Joe Stalin used to say, "Starvation is a great way to decrease the population. If that doesn't do the job fast enough, shoot them."
"He's doing the right thing," Kelly, 44, said in a phone interview Wednesday with the Seattle Intelligencer. "The people of Venezuela are lucky to have him."
Clearly this one has been on the dole all of her adult life.
Little does she know what he's REALLY up to.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.