Sounds like Jr. isn't having the best of times on his good will tour of South America what with the riots and all in Brazil. And then there's this little nugget. -- Priests to Purify Site After Bush Visit GUATEMALA CITY -- Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group said Thursday. "That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture," Juan Tiney, the director of a Mayan nongovernmental organization with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders, said Thursday. Bush's seven-day tour of Latin America includes a stopover beginning late Sunday in Guatemala. On Monday morning he is scheduled to visit the archaeological site Iximche on the high western plateau in a region of the Central American country populated mostly by Mayans. Tiney said the "spirit guides of the Mayan community" decided it would be necessary to cleanse the sacred site of "bad spirits" after Bush's visit so that their ancestors could rest in peace. http://www.newsday.com/news/nationw...on,0,355723.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines
A bigger problem with this tour is that its supposed to be a direct counter to Chavez's rising popularity. If the US President has to go on a publicity tour to counter the Venezualan President that is ironically might have the opposite effect.
Who wouldn't be Chavez's best friend? As Oil prices have skyrocketed the last several years, he's been handing out cash like its going out of style to any left-leaning anti-american group. While corporations owned by shareholders like you and me are saving their pennies for a rainy day, this guy is mortgaging the future of his country for his own ego. If the US companies leave Venezuela, they don't have the infrastructure, technology or competitive process to efficiently run their operations. Though he can enjoy his time now, his methods are not sustainable and ultimately the country and its people will suffer in the future.
I was hoping someone would start a thread on George's motorcycle diaries . I'm very dissapointed with how the U.S media is reacting to the protests that are taking place in every country,calling them "anti-american". Such is not the case,It is more like anti-american government.The U.S Loves promoting "democracies",but Yet they supported Repressive regiments that did not value human life,using civilians as target practice.(Nicaragua,EL Salvador ) But Bush now has a place in his heart for our people?how generous of him!!It is A little too late though,old wounds never heal,It will take a great man like AL Gore to begin negotiations next for latin america,Operacion Justa: The friendly invasion of the USA with no intentions of empire,just spreading catholicism,foreign films,spanish as the first language,and latin american cuisine
viva la revolution http://neoncobra.blogspot.com/2007/03/massive-protests-against-bushs-visit-to.html
I am sure the Chinese and Indians will come in to fill the void. Let's not dwell in our own fantasy world, ok?
"We're concerned about the leftist countries that are dealing with China," says Congressman Dan Burton, the Republican chairman of the sub-committee on the Western Hemisphere. "It's extremely important that we don't let a potential enemy of the US become a dominant force in this part of the world." "We should always look at Latin America in relation to the Monroe Doctrine," says Congressman Burton. "There already are [Chinese] military exchanges and hardware being sold - or given to Latin American countries. You can rest assured the US is going to do everything it can to make sure this hemisphere is safe." Quotes from dan burton on this issue
I dont know, but I think I just found my most favorite protestor of all time. Her dislike of Bush is just icing on the cake.
My dad worked in Venezuela for three years for the oil companies there, they are more than capable of running the operations. Actually the oil companies are nationalized and private outside parties only have minority interest (at this point 2007), before they were allowed majority interest in PROJECTS. Things have changed, they run their own industry now.
LOL, and that's what I call PWNED, courtesy of Chris Bosh. A sidelight in all this - let's just think about how much one hand washes the other. Every time Bush growls and saber rattles at Chavez or Iran, etc....the price of oil goes up, this empowers both Chavez and Iran, as well as Bush's campaign backers from the energy industry who are in the midst of even more record profits, and extent Bush himself, to the extent people still are dumb enough to believe that Bush (despite being beholden to the house of Saud) is "tough on terror".
I have friends that live right off of Paulista Avenue, which is in the heart of the financial district of Sao Paulo, and they told me it was so dangerous to the point they couldn't even leave their apartment for safety reasons on Tuesday.
Having friends that run oilfield optimization companies in Venezuela (they are venezuelan), they have admitted that their business has skyrocketed because they no longer have to compete with Haliburton or other US firms. With that being the case they can charge more and there are few alternatives. As anyone knows higher prices and lack of competition leads to less efficiency and will hurt the government and economy. This is a firsthand example that is happening today that shows the evils of communism. I can't believe people are backing Chavez even after his new "decree" law. Even his communist mentor says he's a totalitarian dictator in the making.
I'm sure someone will fill the void, but its a question of technology and quality. And the US companies are the best in the world. Second-rate companies means second-rate production. As Oil prices stabilize, Chavez's piggy bank will run dry as he has not harvested the profits for weaker times. He has scared off international investors and stifled efficiency within the oil industry. Say goodbye Venezuela, hello Nigera II.
