[pieceofthepuzzle]

I agree, in part, but I do think a big part of the problem is that of trying to be too 'nuanced'. It's a huge problem throughout our government. One of the great strengths of Reagan, in my view, is that he dealt with things from basic principles, nuance be damned.

With regards getting oil from Venezuela, we ought to just make it clear to him, behind closed doors, that if he tries to use oil as a weapon we will just take it from him, for the sake of 'world stability'. Period.

We should also be telling Mexico's government that they need to understand that Chavez represents a big threat to them because of their large indigent population to whom his erroneous message might resonate. That said, we might consider telling them that Pemex needs to be willing and able to pick up the lost oil production that might occur as a consequence of us dealing with Chavez. We don't play enough hardball.

[EagleUSA]

One of the great strengths of Reagan, in my view, is that he dealt with things from basic principles, nuance be damned.
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There is a huge difference between Reagan and what we have now. Reagan was an American patriot, dedicated to preserving American at all costs, which included our freedoms and rights and our beloved founding documents. He was a man of the people and of the country.

He was the last one.