Chavez Calls Obama 'Ignorant'

[Preston_79]

Sunday, March 22, 2009

AP


CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday called President Barack Obama "ignorant," saying he has a lot to learn about Latin America.

The Venezuelan leader said he had been ready to name a new ambassador in Washington when Obama took office, but put that on hold after the new U.S. president accused him of "exporting terrorism" and being an obstacle to progress in the region.

"At least one could say, 'poor ignorant person,"' Chavez said on his weekly television and radio program, adding that Obama "should read a little bit so that he learns about ... the reality of Latin America."

Chavez's relations with Washington grew increasingly strained under former President George W. Bush. The Venezuelan president expelled the U.S. ambassador and withdrew his envoy from Washington in September. Top diplomats have yet to be restored at either embassy.

Chavez and Obama both plan to attend a summit of leaders from across the Americas next month in Trinidad and Tobago. There, Chavez said he will make a case for Cuba to be included in regional talks, saying "we can no longer continue to accept the impositions of the U.S. empire."
Related Stories


"We ask only for respect for Venezuela, nothing else," Chavez said. "If Obama respects us, we'll respect him. If Obama tries to keep disrespecting Venezuela, we will confront the U.S. empire."

Chavez said he showed some of the U.S. administration's critical remarks about him to U.S. Rep. William Delahunt when the Massachusetts Democrat visited Caracas last week.

"They keep pointing to me as the bad boy, as the one who attacks," Chavez said. "Who started the attack first? Obama."

He don't like being disrespected:mad:

[Brando @$$ Fat]

It's a huge stretch to call him an "ignoramous," but the idea that Chavez himself or Venezuela is a national security threat seems like a huge stretch. That said, Chavez himself is very much an ignoramous so I don't know where he gets off.

[Homyrrh]

1. Pakistan
2. Russia
3. N. Korea
...
193. Vatican City
194. Venezuela
195. Tibet

[Potter82]

You know, Obama's election was one of the worst things that could've happened to Chavez.

Bush was a great boogeyman for Chavez to use as an excuse to gain more power in Venezuela given his hostile rhetoric and aggressive foreign policy.
However, no matter how hard he tries, Chavez can't make Obama = Bush.

For one, I haven't heard anything out of the Obama administration regarding Latin America and I think it's safe to say that with the possible exception of Mexico, Latin America is not on the US radar at the moment. I seriously doubt that the Obama administration is going to pursue very aggressive policies in the continent, in large part because America is consumed with it's own domestic problems at the moment and it's foreign policy is still largely focused on the Mideast.

In short, I don't think the US really gives a damn about Venezuela enough one way or the other to be able to function as an effective boogeyman, especially if the US tones down the anti-Chavez rhetoric, which I expect will happen.

Without an effective external boogeyman to distract people, Chavez will likley see his support weaken - which is why he, and Iran for that matter, are trying so hard to vilify Obama from the get go & to tie him with Bush.

By the way, Homyyrh, is that a list of countries that you consider to be most dangerous to the US or important for foreign policy purposes? I'd definitely agree with the top 3 and would put Mexico at #4. I also wouldn't be Venezuela in the top 100.

[Homyrrh]

By the way, Homyyrh, is that a list of countries that you consider to be most dangerous to the US or important for foreign policy purposes? I'd definitely agree with the top 3 and would put Mexico at #4. I also wouldn't be Venezuela in the top 100.

I'd figure these were the top three obvious threats to American safety and security; while Russia and North Korea may be interchangeable somewhere in the top five, no one can argue how dangerous Pakistan is to the world in general. At this rate, the narco-state Mexico may well be fourth for its sheer proximity.

Ultimately, until he starts funding the Taliban or al-Qaeda or drops a nuclear warhead 100 miles off the coast near Miami Beach, I don't think anyone really cares about him.

[The Heart Collector]

However, no matter how hard he tries, Chavez can't make Obama = Bush.

Obama's administration, like every other American administration, will be a semi-imperialist criminal enterprise. Chavez hardly has to try to show that reality.

Hey look,

US will appoint Afghan 'prime minister' to bypass Hamid Karzai

The US and its European allies are *preparing to plant a high-profile figure in the heart of the Kabul government in a direct challenge to the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, the Guardian has learned.

The creation of a new chief executive or prime ministerial role is aimed at bypassing Karzai. In a further dilution of his power, it is proposed that money be diverted from the Kabul government to the provinces. Many US and European officials have become disillusioned with the extent of the corruption and incompetence in the Karzai government, but most now believe there are no credible alternatives, and predict the Afghan president will win re-election in August.

That damned democracy... not doing what we want it to do. Oh well, time to sabotage it. tee hee. I am America.

[hasselbrad]

1. Pakistan
2. Russia
3. N. Korea
...
193. Vatican City
194. Venezuela
195. Tibet

I'm not sure I'd put Venezuela that far down the list. While the nation isn't a direct threat (i.e.: attacks) per se, its capacity for agitation throughout the region is quite significant. Chavez has oil money to exploit and is surrounded by poor nations who are all too eager to take it.

[Vong]

That damned democracy... not doing what we want it to do. Oh well, time to sabotage it. tee hee. I am America.

You'd think a country that has just started utilizing democracy would already be a pro at maintaining it by now.

Damn you Kim Campbell! You're not doing your job!

[Homyrrh]

Obama's administration, like every other American administration, will be a semi-imperialist criminal enterprise. Chavez hardly has to try to show that reality.

Hey look,



That damned democracy... not doing what we want it to do. Oh well, time to sabotage it. tee hee. I am America.
Using this article as a frame of reference...Karzai is corrupt, thus warranting transplantation. This is often the case, whether it's government intervention or simple democratic process.

[Homyrrh]

I'm not sure I'd put Venezuela that far down the list. While the nation isn't a direct threat (i.e.: attacks) per se, its capacity for agitation throughout the region is quite significant. Chavez has oil money to exploit and is surrounded by poor nations who are all too eager to take it.
Yeah, I was pretty much just going for some hyperbolic humor.

[The Heart Collector]

Using this article as a frame of reference...Karzai is corrupt, thus warranting transplantation. This is often the case, whether it's government intervention or simple democratic process.

America regularly engages with and even supports corrupt dictatorships, so "Karzai is corrupt" does not even remotely qualify as an argument.

[QUENTIN]

Not to mention, they're a sovereign country and supposedly a democracy.

When Bush was corrupt and >70% of the American people didn't like the job he was doing, France didn't install an American Prime Minister. Having the military might to do so doesn't make it any less absurd and plainly wrong.

[Cop No. 633]

To be honest, Chavez is right in saying that he didn't start any of it. As soon as one country gets to use the term "exporting terrorism" why the hell would the guy on the other side not be allowed to talk back?

Has anybody watched the Revolution Will Not be Televised? It gives you a good idea of how Chavez became the President in the first place. He didn't simply get elected and "became a tyrant" like they always want you to believe. The military staged a coup but the man and his people were much smarter than they were given credit for. People wanted him in office. We have to respect what that country wants.

If it's anti-American to tell U.S. corporations to go fuck themselves so that the country could harvest its own resources to fix their economy, then consider me a commie. :)

[Homyrrh]

We have to respect what that country wants.
Did you watch the WBC, specifically the Venezuelan games?

[Cop No. 633]

I don't keep up with sports outside of MMA. Even my interest in boxing has wained. I just catch basketball games on the side.

Were people booing him?

[Homyrrh]

I don't keep up with sports outside of MMA. Even my interest in boxing has wained. I just catch basketball games on the side.

Were people booing him?
There's a really talented outfielder on the Tigers, Magglio Ordonez, who played for the Venezuelan team. He's made multiple public endorsements of Chavez and, in return, been catastrophically booed by the Venezuelan fans.

I can't say for certain either way, but I don't think he has the unwavering support of the people.