in due time

One of the things that frustrates me most about the recent barrage of news about Chavez in the mainstream media is that almost all of what they are sayin now, I! have been saying for over three years. The other thing is that most of it is slanderous and demonizing. If the American media and public took a little time to be INFORMATIVE they would know what is REALLY going on Venezuela.

This is not rocket science. Just a little light reading. It still amazes me that in an age with such tremendous access to information that people are so MISINFORMED. How ironic. Anyone with access to a computer and reading proficiency in Spanish could have made fair and comprehensive assessments of Chavez's domestic and foreign policies. But why be accurate when you can be slanderous use words like threatening to help boost ratings. Our own government's research is little more comprehensive than news coverage on FOX!

The truth is, I find myself in a funny place. As an American I would be lying if I didn't admit that his strengthening diplomatic ties with Iran, Libya and Syria weren't a concern to me. His ambitions for a greater presence in global politics worries me less. But if I were to just examine his domestic policies I would be Chavista. Punto.

But can I?

I find myself being so critical of the right-wing policies of the Opposition and Bush adminstration that pratically gave birth to Chavez by trying obliterate the poor by starving them out and erasing them from the mirrors of society. Their policies created a void and Chavez filled it. But on the other hand, I am not so sure I like the idea of Chavez being so cuddly with Iran. Or Syria.
Inherently this is my problem with the left. LEFT IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!!! Okay, so Chavez wants to make friends with some of our enemies. Why? Just because. Because its the alternative to the status quo? Bolstering the support of a nation that sponsors terrorism is not the way to gain credibility. But because it speaks to the Anti-American sentiment of much in the Arab and Islamic world (or the world at large for that matter) it brings political capital.

His goals to create a sphere of influence and a greater presence for Venezuela in the international arena is what it is, but is he really aware of the implications? Increased insecurity and competition. Chavez's ambitions to increase his influence in Africa doesn't only challenge the US but China as well.

Chavez looks at China as a lucrative alternative to the US market for his oil. But is he willing to overlook the fact that they have been arming the genocide in Sudan? Will his grassroots Bolivarian revolution overlook the fact that a trading nation is CAPITALIZING on the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people in order to achieve a political domestic objective? The same type of CAPITALISMO that he heralds as the root of the world's evils and moral problems. The same CAPITALISMO that funds his Bolivarian Revolution everytime the US buys Venezuelan petrol. Seems like the Bolivarian Revolution's foreign policy is more like the US than he thinks. Seems like he could be learning to turn the other cheek and making for allowances when there is an overall objective. (That's what we've done with Saudi Arabia. Right?)

During a conversation I had with a friend of mine in Venezuela, we concluded that Bush and Chavez are actually more alike than not. Personality wise that is. Both are heavy handed presidentialist leaders. Neither are afraid of using force in light of aggression. They are both average height with possible Napoleonic complexes. They both like to refer to foreign leaders with nicknames. For example, Chavez called Bush Mr. Danger. (Rumsfeld called Chavez Hitler) Saddam Hussein has been refered to as Evil, as part of the Axis of Evil. (Sounds like something from an Austin Powers flick.) Both use catchy words and phrases during their speeches to romanticize the content of what they say. Bush favorites are terror, freedom, and democracy. (The only words he can...never mind, they'll probably come to my house if I finish that sentence) Chavez's words are imperialism, capitalism, neo-liberalism and a mutual favorite democracy. Oddly enough Chavez is technically the more democratically elected President out of the two. Funny.

Anyway, I began this rant in response to the increased media coverage on Chavez and how LATE it is. So LATE! Three years plus late. The Financial Times, ironically enough, has relatively good articles on Venezuela. As does the BBC. If you read spanish check out Elpais.es or UltimasNoticicas.com.ve It's a local paper that is a bit more middle of the road.