Posted on 08/10/2007 4:21:44 AM PDT by deaconjim
Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has sent a declaration of "solidarity" to Hugo Chavez, the fiery populist leader of Venezuela who has labeled President Bush "the devil" and pals around the world stage with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Ellis said Thursday he sent the proclamation not only in his capacity as mayor of Macon but also as the vice president for tourism for the World Conference of Mayors.
"We commend President Chavez for the things he's done in this country," said Ellis, citing Chavez's efforts to subsidize the cost of heating fuel for low-income residents of the United States. "We want to work for peace and harmony ... through the mayors of Venezuela."
Ellis said he sent the pledge to the South American nation by courier two to three weeks ago. Chavez on Sunday apparently read the proclamation during the weekly broadcast of his public television and radio show, "Al—, Presidente."
According to venezuelanalysis.com, a Caracas, Venezuela-based Web site that aims to provide news and analysis of Venezuelan politics, Chavez spent a record-breaking eight-hour broadcast calling for "a global 'alliance of civilizations' to resist the attacks of U.S. imperialism."
During the lengthy address, the Web site reports that Chavez "thanked Jack Ellis, mayor of the city of Macon, Georgia, in the US, for sending a declaration of solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, describing it as 'within the framework of a human interchange and positive character. All is not lost.' "
He added, " 'There are social organizations which rise and which will impel the change that the world requires,' " according to the Web site.
Community leaders in Macon seemed perplexed - but not necessarily surprised - by the mayor's action.
"I think the term is 'megalomania,' " said Councilwoman Brenda Youmas. "Well, it's only August. You got three more months. ... The best is yet to come."
Bibb County Commission Chairman Charlie Bishop said he didn't want to get involved in the issue. "What can I say?" he asked. "That's one man."
Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, said on occasion the mayor's controversial actions have drawn attention.
"Some of his statements, people ask how relevant they are," Cherry said. "But obviously, that's the mayor's prerogative as to what statements he wants to make."
Chavez generally is not a well-liked figure in the free world, and U.S. officials have regarded him with a wary eye.
A career military officer who spent time in prison for staging a failed coup d'etat in 1992, Chavez was elected president in 1998 and then re-elected in 2000. The Carter Center in Atlanta, which monitored Chavez's rise to power, characterized the 2000 elections as "flawed."
A coup in 2002 nearly toppled Chavez, but a popular uprising kept the president in office. Chavez accused the U.S. of orchestrating his attempted removal from office.
Last fall, Chavez set off a national uproar in the United States when he spoke to the U.N. General Assembly the day after Bush delivered his speech to the international body.
"The devil came here yesterday," Chavez said during his speech, referring to Bush. "And it smells of sulfur still today."
He and Ahmadinejad, whose country is in a standoff with the United States and Europe over Iran's nuclear program, have pledged mutual support for one another. Chavez has supported Iran's right to develop a nuclear program, which Washington opposes. Chavez does have his celebrity sympathizers though: The day after delivering his U.N. speech, actor Danny Glover introduced Chavez at an oil-for-the-poor event. Glover also has appeared on "Al—, Presidente." And during the past few days, Chavez has escorted actor Sean Penn on a tour of the Venezuelan countryside.
Ellis said that regardless of disagreements that may occur between Venezuela and the United States "in the upper echelons of government," local mayors in the two countries can stand together in solidarity.
The mayor said Chavez, through the country's embassy in the United States, has offered to look at donating fuel to needy senior citizens in Macon. Venezuela, one of the world's top producers of petroleum, controls the oil company Citgo.
Ellis said Chavez also has invited him to come to Venezuela, though a trip has not yet been scheduled.
"We're working on that now," Ellis said.
Telegraph staff writers Keich Whicker and Phillip Ramati contributed to this report.
Treason.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
As our country slowly slips away to Communist.
It will be a cold day in hell before this traveler sets foot in Macon.
Lets see, what can I say that dosen’t involve extreme violence against this piece of garbage mayor...hum.....nope can’t say that....hum no not that either.....
Who is this fool??
I can’t imagine this will play well in Georgia.
The fiery populist leader of Venezuela = Commie Scumbag, Mutual support for one another = look for their mutual destruction soon and Danny Glover = The Dictator's dilettante and all-around useful idiot.
I will say this about the Mayors of many of Georgia’s larger cities. Many are run by the inner city crowd, and the politics runs much more far left than in the State of Georgia as a whole.
Atlanta’s Mayor, Shirley Franklin, is a huge improvement over its past Mayors, but frankly, she is nothing to brag about.
This guy must be fun at parties.
Why is it that only lower-level Democrats (Telluride, Colorado town council) feel impelled to pontificate on matters not within their purview? Megalomania? Is this the "malignant narcissism" Tammy Bruce talks about?
Several Georgia towns (18) show up on the family tree to be named after those ancestors.
I would bet that if one walked by the graveyard and was real quite he or she could hear them rolling in their graves.
Leftists stick together in their quest to destroy civilization and take your money.
“Well, it was Georgians who elected this mutt mayor.”
Yes but it’ll be interesting to see what happens to his re-election.
Let’s hope the Maconians come to their senses.
Prior to taking office, Ellis served in the United States Army, worked for the United States Census Bureau, hosted a public access television show, and sold used cars. He fathered a son with Mireille Severe, and has been involved in legal action concerning his failure to pay child support. [2] He ran for mayor in 1999, and was elected as the first African-American to hold the position. After a somewhat controversial first term, he was re-elected in 2003 after defeating several challengers in the Democratic primary and substantial write-in opposition in the general election. His second term has led to further conflicts with the city council and several failed attempts to recall him. He is currently the focus of several federal investigations.
Due in part to the sometimes fierce opposition, Ellis has had few major accomplishments during his terms.
I don’t doubt that your ancestors may have settled in Georgia, but Georgia’s first city, Savannah was not founded by James Oglethorpe until 1733.
http://www.historywiz.com/georgia.htm
“I think the term is ‘megalomania,’
My thought too.
However, if the U.S. is going to continue to buy Venezuelan oil while Chavez is in power, then we are supporting him much more than mere words from a small city mayor can.
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