Reply #13: A professor, [View All]

[MrPrax]

who was some Marxist type involved with a Caribbean government, before he fled due to a power transition, often quipped that EVEN among good leftist like his friends, the two most important jobs for any Third World regime is 'President' and 'UN Ambassador' and sadly MOST of his comrades wanted the 'UN job'.

Why? Because you get to hang out in New York, you don't have to deal directly with the People, much better shopping, less hassles and bribes buying luxury cars there, you get big money and a chance to network with other 'Marxist types', and if the government gets overthrown, you are safe until the extradiction process completes itself (assuming there is one). Much better than being just the President, don't you think ;-)

Indeed, I am sure everyone at the UN knows that Guatemala is a good 'little American buddy' on this vote, but Chavez didn't do himself any favours with his 'harague' last month either. The first vote shows unmistakenly that the current crop of General Assembly is closer to my old Professor's take.

While I liked Chavez comments, a speech in front of the UN usually requires a tact a bit broader than basically internet chat room generalizations. We progressives always have to wear a 'game face' once in awhile and it would have been a greater tribute to the man if Hugo decided to don it for that speech.

Chavez should have played to the crowd and not the home audience -- fiery speeches about Bush being a devil might be amusing, but it isn't likely to sway 'some guy's brother in law' who has perhaps murdered people to get that UN seat, educated at the Sorbonne and is extensively involved in setting up a nephew's import/export business in America. I should also point out that taking the grand tour of such wonderful world destinations as Belorus and Iran probably didn't help -- especially if you are trying to buy influence which is the same game the US has played.


Nobody in the General Assembly is elected by the People; they are all appointments from whatever government is in power and many on the Left shouldn't put TOO much credence in this organization until it becomes closer to the EU Parliamentary model...where we are our 'representatives' are at least elected and at least bear some resemblence to our highly touted 'democratic' ideals

Let's not split hairs here...Chevaz was trying to buy influence for his SC nomination as well. It's an honest charge. Hopefully Chavez will prevail, but more than likely at this point Chevaz will lose. Let's just hope that Mr. Chevaz figures out what he did wrong and demonstrate that he can tell the difference between street campaigning in Caracas and a 'statesman-like' speech.