Chasing Chávez

Scott Hardie | September 25, 2006
Democrats warn Chávez: Don't bash Bush

Here's the sick thing: Setting aside his corruption, I'd rather vote for a man like Chávez than bootlicking wimps like Rangel and Pelosi when they act like this. The man speaks his mind and makes it crystal clear where he stands. He has no beef with America the country or with individual Americans; Chávez is sitting on a golden business opportunity and would love to sell us his oil cheaply, which could make him a valuable ally if we'd stop letting bullshit pride get in the way. His problem is with Bush the man; he hates the President like half this country does, and he says so in no uncertain terms, and were I there for his speech I'd applaud it for its honesty and vigor. How can we endorse free speech amongst ourselves with a straight face if we demand that foreign leaders suppress their criticism of our leader? Oh, how I wish the Democrats had the balls to state the plain fact that Chávez has a right to speak his own mind without it representing anyone else's.

Meanwhile, check out the "fair and balanced" captions placed on the screen during Fox News Channel's coverage of the speech: (link)

Comments?

Michael Paul Cote | September 25, 2006
(link)

Then there's this moron that wants to demolish a Boston landmark because a foreign dignitary only said what many Americans already think.

Jackie Mason | September 26, 2006
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Amy Austin | September 26, 2006
I think I will fill up on Citgo all week.

Jackie Mason | September 26, 2006
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Jackie Mason | September 26, 2006
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Jackie Mason | September 27, 2006
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Scott Hardie | September 27, 2006
Yahoo is a tricky one to link. They update their news stories, sometimes radically changing them in the process, without changing the URLs.

I guess I'm just frustrated that Pelosi, Rangel, and others like them are so afraid to be mocked by conservative pundits and be called "out of touch" or "unpatriotic" that they kiss Bush's ass even though they believe what Chávez believes. There's a white-hot vein of anti-Bush hatred in this nation (not to mention the world) and they're terrified to tap into it. Embrace us you cowards! We are your people, not them! Pelosi and Rangel remind me of scared little kids who have been bullied so much that they claim to be friends of the bully and to like him even though he and his posse keep humiliating them in school every day.

Jackie Mason | September 27, 2006
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Aaron Shurtleff | September 27, 2006
While I don't necessarily agree or disagree (although I do one of them), I think there does exist a time and a place to refrain from certain statements. I don't think that everyone was going to the UN for a big Bush-bashing party. Listen, what he said was no big deal. I think Chavez has said similar things before. I think the bigger issue is that the venue he used was not appropriate.

Similar to Kanye West's "George Bush hates black people" remark. If that's your opinion, it's fine to express it, but pick your venue better, would ya?

Setting aside corruption? I didn't know we could do that! It's easier to like people if we can set aside their faults. Setting aside his stupidity, W. is a great president! Wow! That works! :)

Scott Hardie | September 29, 2006
Of course it works. Half this country does just that. :-)

I see what you're saying. I don't like it when Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins hijack the mic at the Oscars to promote their pet cause, however worthy. But, I don't believe this venue was inappropriate. Personally, I agree with Chávez's sentiment and think that the reckless selfishness of the Bush administration is one of the greatest dangers facing the world at large, placing many countries (especially this one) at greater risk, and as such the UN is the place to discuss such a topic. He could say his message in more dignified and diplomatic terms, certainly, but the content of his message (Bush = bad) is not inappropriate at the UN nor is it inappropriate for a foreign leader to say.

Amy Austin | September 29, 2006
Excellent bully analogy, Scott!

You and Aaron both make excellent points -- I'm not sure how I feel about it overall, but I agree that it probably could have been stated more eloquently and done more favors for having been so. Like selling ice to Eskimos, the art of telling someone to go to hell (or that they came from there!) and them liking it is a rare art form these days. (Or wait... isn't that what this administration specializes in?!?)