The Rebel Faction

I think he was good for Venezuela. He took back control of Venezuela's oil resources, he broke down a corrupt government system that enshrined two parties and no one else, he's implemented all manner of programs to help the poor and try and solve the problems of Venezuela from the ground up.

Yes, he did call George Bush "The Devil!" at the U.N., and yes, he's friends with Castro (and even allied with Iran for strategic oil purposes), but most good leaders are going to have some quirks, problems, or beliefs we disagree with. Considering Latin America's history of getting kicked around by U.S. intervention for the last century, is it any surprise Venezuela'd pick a leader who hates them? It'd be nice if he was some sort of international bridge-building "Let's all hold hands and be friends" type, but failing that, he gets stuff done.

Any thoughts?

What's so wrong with Castro? I love how everyone always sees Castro as such a villain when Cuba hasn't invaded anyone since it left Spain. Yes, the guys in Miami cheered when Castro went to the hospital but how many cheered when Bush started choking on a pretzel?

Sorry, just had to defend Cuba because we (as in Canada) have always had good relations with him. Trudeu even said 'Vive la Castro' when he met with him back when.

But yes, I like this Chavez fellow, though he looks like as a baby he had his face squished against the floor.

Seriously, what kind of retard goes before the UN and calls a nations leader the devil?

Short answer; a person who can make that statement and expect it to carry some weight.

Long answer; every single American. Do you watch SNL?

Seriously, Kamon if you're going to make such a 'dumbass' statement you could, at least, defend it.

Sorry, just had to defend Cuba because we (as in Canada) have always had good relations with him. Trudeu even said 'Vive la Castro' when he met with him back when

And if American-backed Steven Harper weren't in power right now, we'd be fucking close to saying the same thing. Lumber. Beef. Energy. Water.

Neither are you? At least you know who he is and I don't think that extends in both directions. But whatever, like many an American in this day and age, your complacency is not unexpected or uncommon.

Some people find it ridiculous that Chavez (a nation's leader) would go out on a public stage and declare Bush (another nation's leader) the devil (a silly monicker to make clear his dislike).

Anyone remember Bush's "Axis of evil"?