Chavez may price oil exports in euros

[muriel_volestrangler]

Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that he would consider pricing his country's oil in euros instead of dollars in line with a similar declaration made by Iran.

Earlier this month Iran's state television reported the country's Oil Ministry granted a license for its first euro-denominated market.

"That is an interesting proposal made by the president of Iran," Chavez told Britain's Channel 4 news. "We are free to choose too between the dollar and the euro."
...
"So what the president of Iran says is recognizing the power of Europe. They have succeeded in integrating and have a single currency competing with the dollar, and Venezuela might also consider that," said Chavez, president of the world's fifth largest oil exporter.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8HL5NS01.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db

The Channel 4 interview - video is 10 minutes:

In an exclusive television interview, he told this programme America could have its arms back - and says he will cut off oil supplies to the US if more sanctions are imposed. #

Mr Chavez has been accused of flirting with authoritarianism at home and backing despots abroad - not least in Iran, where he has forged close ties.

But he says he is protecting himself against US aggression - and says he may join forces with Tehran in their plan to undermine the US dollar by selling their oil in Euros.

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=2375

[ShortnFiery]

1. Gee, what a difference a day (and lack of diplomacy) makes! aye?

:evilgrin:

[XemaSab]

2. On his resume under SKILLS front and center is

STICKING IT TO THE MAN.

[bigworld]

4. Chavez prods Bush at least once a day, doesn't he?

.. This is #2 for him today!

[cliss]

25. Yes, Chavez has an electric cattle prod

he pokes Bush in the butt.

OMG can you imagine how they are taking this in Washington? It's like Chavez has found Bush's Achilles' Heel.

He's going to torment them to insanity.

[Demeter]

35. Too Bad Bush Has No Nervous System There! n/t

[XemaSab]

83. The first one was directed at Bush personally

The second one might just be directed at the horse he rode in on...

[saigon68]

91. If he can't walk and chew gum

The chimpanzee surely can't ride a horse.

[Drum]

3. Ah, welcome to the Axis!

Or in more Bush terms:
When you only wield a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

------------------------

Oh W, how can one Administration undo DECADES of work so blithely???

Shame on you, George W Bush!

[Up2Late]

5. Well, I guess that seals it, time to start the invasion talk.

Good thing Bush is incapable of doing or thinking of two things at the same time.

[Robbien]

8. Yes. Hope Chavez is ready.

Wonder if this escallation is going too fast for BushCo.

[Endangered Specie]

6. I must admit,some days I think about wanting to have

a 'reserve' stash into Euro's... just in case.

[Up2Late]

30. You just reminded me that I do have a small collection of world currency..

...that just keeps getting more and more valuable.

It wasn't worth exchanging two years ago, but now, I might be set for life,

or at least a week, if the Dollar collapses.:evilgrin:

[Joe for Clark]

7. This is VERY bad he would even talk like that - very bad.

[katinmn]

10. The US imposed sanctions. I think he's justified.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

11. Bingo. The NeoCons thought they were going to intimidate him.

[Joe for Clark]

17. No he is not!!!

Do you understand those wells in South America were nationalized in the 1970's. Had a lot to do with the crisis then, I KNOW.

I do understand now very well from an ecconomic point of view. And I understand what the nominal change in currency could do to decent US workers. WHY - cause the bastard managed to cheat a few points in 04 - that justifies what happens to OUR people? - I don't think so.

This guy is nothing more than a bad dream in a few months - really.

There are so many reasons to vote against the W mentality. I am so biased, cause I have a kid in the line of fire in Iraq, that I admit I am not anything but partisan. I want him out.

But let me say, what this asshole does to our dollar will haunt this country for decades. And that is a fact that your kids could end up having to deal with.

Joe

[KAZ]

18. Sorry, you have the wrong asshole.

On an international relations basis, we're reaping what the Shrub administration has sowed.

All prayers with your son.

[katinmn]

19. Tell it to Bush. Chavez has helped Americans where our own govt

will not.

You can't blame Chavez for the mistakes of OUR government. Bush has done more to hurt US workers than any foreign government ever could. Chavez is doing right by his people from what I can tell.

And yes, I realize that the oil industry was nationalized in Venezuela. I would support extreme regulation that falls just short of nationalizing the US oil industry as well as forcing them to invest some of their trillions in alternative energy development. They have miled Americans and our environment enough.

I'm sorry your child is in Iraq. I hope he or she comes home safely.

[Joe for Clark]

23. I should have kept my own problems private - about my kid.

My mistake. I just wanted to point out, I am partisan.

But Chavez is a politician just like W. From our point of view - AND I MEAN THE AMERICAN point of view - W is gone in a few years, probably he is nuetered by the November elections in a few months. And I know, what happens to our dollar will costs us for a long, long time. And it will costs our kids for a longer time.

We can't cut off our nose to spite our face - not now. Not when we are winning. Chavez has an angle to this. And those people took our wells. No, we can't tolerate this. He is W in a South American outfit. Screw him, too.

Joe

[katinmn]

24. Please explain: "...those people took our wells."

Hey Joe--

Another way to look at it might be that Venezuela grew tired of seeing all the wealth from their resource leaving the country, while their people lived in abject poverty.

[Joe for Clark]

31. Sure -

Those wells, we found them, we drilled them and we made them produce. We paid the taxes and then - when they became profitable - they were taken over. It happened in Venezuela - God, it happened all over South America and Africa too.

The result was a gas shock in the 1970's. We used to get up at 4 in the morning to wait in line to even get gas - if you could get it.

You should understand, those wells would be undiscovered to this day if we didn't put up the capital to find them, it is true. And what those countries did nationalizing those wells sent a shock wave in our country that cost Carter the 1980 election. If I was a South American I am sure I could argue it differently, but I am from the United States - and I care about our perspective as a nation, not Venezuela. And what happens to our dollar is more serious than I could possibly state here.

Joe

[KAZ]

33. Complete horseshit.

"those wells would be undiscovered to this day". I'm sorry to be so crass, but those wells would have been discovered and drilled at $12/ppb.

[nick303]

37. Then why weren't they?

[KAZ]

38. Because drilling rights were already bestowed.

by some tin-pot...

[nick303]

39. Why weren't they used before the tin pot?

[KAZ]

41. Nick, my friend, explaining the ways...

... of 3rd world dictators would take far too long. Let's just say, it was easier for them to take $50M in their offshore account, than it was for them to put together the infrastructure to reap the ongoing benefits of their natural resources.

[nick303]

42. I said "before"

The point I was getting at, was that "private foreign investment" is not a 4-letter word.

[KAZ]

45. Now we're going to have a straight thread...

... I hate those things.

Yes it is a 4 letter word when "private investment" means that a company deposits millions in a dictator's private account, to take control of "their" country's natural resources, by which, the dictator accomplished after having been installed by a 1st-worlder, and securing a "constitution" written by the conquering companies.

Where have you been for the last 75 years?

[Joe for Clark]

43. You have no idea what you are talking about.

I do.

You gotta find them first, you know??

Do you have any knowledge of the business at all???

Please tell me.

Joe

[KAZ]

48. BS in Comp Sci. Working on a MAFM.

Good career in CS, successful business, and semi retired at 45. How about you, pal? What's your dick size?

[Joe for Clark]

52. SO you clearly do not..

I have two under grad dergees and a masters in business - doesn't mean a whole hell of a lot in the end - shit, I'd agree with that.

But what really does - My father was director of operations of an oil company at the time. And when I was in business school - we studied things he did, you know?? Don't talk to me about what you do not understand.

Jesus, I was studying things that happened in school that he did - strange to me to this day.

He was a great democrat - probably better than me.

But he understood smart from dumb. I like to think I do too.

I know something else, he knew what war meant - I only read about it. You will never find a better liberal than someone thats "been to the show".

I do not mean to come down hard - I don't - but when I say I KNOW - that means I know. Not IMO.

Joe

[KAZ]

57. OK Joe. I'll take your word for it that you know...

... and I respect your opinion. But please, don't lecture to me on business, politics, or things "I do not understand". It's boring. And we're both way off of the topic at hand. We're just going to have to disagree on this one.

Peace.

[Joe for Clark]

59. I really don't want to lecture anyone -

Let alone anyone that had the balls to come here and state their opinion - I so respect that.

Really, I don't mean to do this. I am sorry if I did.

Peace to you Kaz, too. November will be kind to us, I am sure (IMO).

Joe

[KAZ]

32. Our wells?

Sorry. Just because some US installed tin-pot dictator made them "our wells" doesn't mean it's true.

How about the $130 billion-odd that's being taken from "our wells" each year by our glorious oil barons.

[Joe for Clark]

40. Yes they were our wells.

We leased or bought the land, we put up the money to drill and we paid the governments taxes.

We really did. And when the shit hit the fan, who do you think paid for it?? It was us!!!

I have NO sympathy for oil companies at all. But two wrongs are still wrong. I will not justify one for another - not in this life. They can both go to hell.

Joe

[katinmn]

46. Foreign entities now own much of our banking assets, farmland, ports,

terminals and related security, airlines, energy companies, top real estate, etc. Just about everything!

What's worse, we are in deep debt from borrowing from China and other countries.

Using your argument, foreign companies can claim they own us.

[Joe for Clark]

47. Yes, they could. They really do own our ass.

It is the W legacy, don't you know.

Joe

[KAZ]

49. So, if W sold off drilling rights to say, hmm....

... ANWAR for $30, we, as a nation, would not have a right to say "sorry fuckheads, your deal is over"? That, in a nutshell, is what happened throughout many of the 3rd world nations.

[dysfunctional press]

53. unfortunately, our oil and our wells were in THEIR country.

and when a despot sells the people's assets, and the people don't see the money...what are the people to do...?

[Joe for Clark]

78. Nationalizing wells guarantees a pullout of capital.

That happened.

You honor you commitments, and if you don't there is a consequence. Tax rates can go up and down. They should. But you don't steal. And if you do, you only get that chance once. Always true.

Joe

[Solon]

84. But is that absolute?

You seem to be arguing it is, which makes no sense in the real world. Here, I'll give a couple of examples, a few years ago the rich in Venezuela was crying foul, they were claiming that the Government was stealing their land. However, they didn't really have a leg to stand on, and I'll tell you why, the land was considered public land for a long time, but the rich carved out sections of it when they controlled the government, and squatted on it "illegally". However, when Chavez's government decided to take back the land, they gave the rich an opportunity to show them the legal titles to said land, otherwise they lose it. Well, the rich lost that land because they never really bothered to "buy" it legally. Now that's but one example, how about this one:

OK, a British Lord owned a HUGE tract of land in Venezuela, and it was legally bought too, however, it was sitting idle, he hasn't entered the country in years, plus he never bothered to use the land for ANYTHING. The Government siezed the land, because they claimed it was abandoned, the Lord cried foul, but could do nothing. Was the government justified in that or not?

BTW: In case you were wondering, Chavez's Government GRANTED titles to these lands to THOUSANDS of poor farmers and farmer co-ops so that Venezuela will not have to import 70% of its crops anymore. So to say this land was nationalized is a misnomer, also some of the land was reserved for enviromental preservation, only previously used farmland was granted to farmers.

[Judi Lynn]

90. To add one detail to your remarks, I'd like to say that when legitimate

proof of ownership is offered, compensation is paid in every case, according to Venezeuelan law.

Anti-Chavez people always attempt to portray it otherwise.

Great post.

[dysfunctional press]

97. "...but you don't steal."

yeah...the american government would NEVER do that, anywhere in the world, to any indiginous peoples, would they...?
"stealing" has never been a part of the american way, has it...?
just ask the native americans and the hawaiians, for starters.

:eyes:

[dysfunctional press]

101. you don't buy stolen property, either...

and that's what the oil companies did when they made deals with a corrupt despot.

[anoraksia53]

79. thanks to you for making this point so well

this is exactly what happens all over the world. the big multinationals go into poor countries that have lots of natural resources and then they can influence a corrupt leader or put in someone they like better. Then they just take and take and take, the local people never see any of it.........

This is not right but mostly US citizens never see what is really going on in all the places where we get our natural resources. This is not just oil and gas but also things like copper etc.........WE destroy other places environments we steal their wealth we get them to sign agreements that are licenses to rip them off and then we say, well, they signed it, not our fault if they were stupid enough to sign it.

And like if you've got a corrupt despot in your pocket from the start you don't have any problems, as long as the fat cat gets his share. And when your poor and someone offers you a penny you think at first that's a good deal.

So naturally when someone comes to power who actually has the people's interests at heart you can expect big changes. They will do what they can to balance the damage done by previous decades or centuries of injustice........Besides some of the harm done will take many decades or longer to correct, like when huge ecosystems are destroyed by toxic waste and the peoples health and land and is poisoned or their local economy has been destroyed because whatever they produce is being exported and they can't produce the things their own population needs to survive.

Just because the US public has been mostly unaware of whats been going on doesn't mean they can escape the consequences of our consumer lifestyle and our mostly unregulated approach to business and our leading the way in international trade agreements that make it impossible for anyplace else to regulate their own businesses...........Chavez and others are changing the models and it's about time.

Whatever pain US citizens feel it will not come close to the pain experienced by other peoples due to unchecked business practices that give all power to big corporations. These big companies aggressively keep power, information and profits well away from the people they steal from.

Sorry but ignorance by US citizens is no excuse any more, it will be a bitter pill to swallow but things can't keep going on the way they have.

Unfortunately W's policies are so unbalanced they will just make the eventual correction even more painful.

[Solon]

61. Governments have the unmitigated power to TAKE away property from...

corporations that ABUSE that property for their own profit. This includes contractional obligations, etc. To say its WRONG is to say that Corporations share EQUAL power with governments. That is fascism by definition.

[Solon]

60. That is the dumbest thing I ever heard...

"those people took our wells" since when do ANY of us OWN any wells in the first place, what are you a freakin' investor for Exxon-Mobil or something? What type of selfish bullshit is this? Just because a company is based in America doesn't mean shit, not to me, not to them, they aren't American to me, why should they be, I have more in common with the poor of other nations than with those fucking fatcats in their gated communities that demand MY tax money to keep their companies afloat because its my "patriotic" duty. FUCK THEM!!!!

[Joe for Clark]

65. OK -

Let me ask you - If you buy something is it really yours?? Do you have to ask the politics before you can answer?? What do you think happens for future investors - what do you think they ask?? How do you think that affects people??

Let me tell you - we paid for that - us, the United States. Our people.

Do I think Chavez is an asshole - I do. DO I think W is an asshole, absolutely. And two wrongs don't make a right - not in my universe.

Joe

[Solon]

66. OK, a couple of things...

First, if you buy property, you get a title, which is basically a nice little form that gives you exclusive rights to that property, but limits the uses as to what you can do on the it as well, and that title is issued by the GOVERNMENT. OK, is that clear, we aren't talking about freakin widgets here that can fit in your pocket, we are talking about land, and for the longest time, there have been limits as to what you can do on that land, hell, even how long you can keep it. As such, any company that buys land must obey the laws, even CHANGING laws of the nation in which they bought that land. If the land is misused, then that government has the power to revoke your right to use it, take back the title, whatever. That has been and still is universal in most countries of the world. The only thing I see that differs is whether you are compensated for the retaking of that land, it totally depends on that nation's laws are regarding such issues.

As far as the investors, fuck them, their company takes risks, and this is a risk of doing business, if they can't take it, sell. As for people, I don't know what you mean, for the people of Venezuela, well, they didn't get to see this money at all until recently, with Chavez in office, so, at least now, its getting better for them. As for people in the US, if the only way we benefit from this is at the expense of other people abroad, then fuck us as well. Its not worth it, I hate this system of expoitation that we keep on pushing so we can prop ourselves up on this hollow "American Dream" that is built on the backs, bones, and blood, of poor people both around the world and here in our country.

[Joe for Clark]

67. It is like this -

If you put up the money to make the deal and then the carpet is pulled out from under you, you will not put up the money the second time. You either get that concept or you don't.

Don't tell me you have someting in common with the poor in South America - you have no idea how bad that can be there - don't try.

And by the way those stockholders that own the company that does business in SA - that is everybodys 401k or pension plan. All of us. I hope you understand this, I really do.

Joe

[1932]

69. If leaving the rug underneath the feet of the corporations exploiting

the developing world's natural resources and labor is sending us all to hell in a handbasked, I don't see the logic in NOT pulling it out and starting again.

And this is, as Solon said, THE RISK OF DOING BUSINESS and shareholders are not entitled to have all their risks assumed by the US military and the US taxpayer. We do not need to underwrite guaranteed profits for them.

In fact, the lesson of history should be very apparent to corporations: you overreach, and someone's going to push back.

As for 'everyone's 401k'--90% of all shares in the US are owned by less than 10% of the populartion. This isn't about some wealth for all Americans, it's about immense wealth for a few Americans at the cost of a stable, functioning global economy. If you work for a living in the US, you shold have way more class loyalty and class indentification with working people in other countries than you have with super-rich CEOs in your own country. The polarization of wealth and political power they enjoy at home is bought with the huge profits they gain from exploiting cheap labor and resources abroad.

if there's ever going to be a poltically powerful middle class, it's going to happen because it's happening all over the world at the same time. It will never succeed if your goal is to make it happen only in the US and pay for it with the cheap labor and resources of foreigners. I think the last 100 years (and especially the last 30) are the proof of that impossiblity.

[Joe for Clark]

72. Who do you think pays for this "risk of doing business"

Do you have some doubt it is you???

If you cannot be sure what you buy is yours - you don't buy. True for me and you and every other person.

There used to be a politically powerful middle class in our country. Not now though - and that is the problem.

Joe

[1932]

73. I benefit when businesses compate fairly and fail when they're not

doing the right things and succeed when they are.

I benefit when a lot of the wealth created reaches the bottom of the pyramid (that was the lesson Roosevelt taught the world).

I do NOT do better when companies which exploit are protected from failure by politicians like McKinley, Nixon, Kissinger, et al. I clearly do not have a better life when the Marines and black ops guarantee that people abroad get rock bottom wages for their work (as in Haiti) or for their resources (as in Iraq).

I have a strong suspicion that the economic and political power that accumulated in the hands of the few beginning in the early seventies, which began to offset the power of the middle class that had built up since the New Deal, came from exploiting foreign labor and resources.

[Solon]

74. We pay, but only because our policies in regards to corporate...

bailouts suck. Remember soon after 9/11 that the airline companies asked for a bailout, I forget the amount, it was at least millions of dollars, and we just gave it to them. That was stupid, what is the point of having a "free" market system when you aren't free to FAIL? And we STILL give them money when they ask for it because they CANNOT make a profit, and haven't for years, this is ridiculous, if an industry cannot make a profit, or even be in the black at all, just to do normal business operations, then they shouldn't be in business to begin with. Also, if its considered an industry or service that is NEEDED for some reason or another, like transportation, then NATIONALIZE the damned thing, make it non-profit, at least, or outright own it.

But no, we socialize costs, privatize profits, and the American people have yet to benefit from this flawed policy. There are so many industries in this country that are PAID for with our tax dollars that we have NO control over its not even funny. From agriculture to the airlines, to oil companies, to aerospace(Pentagon budget is under their control), to automobiles, etc. Its fucking outrageous that we have to hemmorage BILLIONS of dollars for this shit, and yet STILL pay 3 bucks a gallon in gas.

[Solon]

71. Unlike you...

I have lived on the streets, I have asked friends if I can stay over, I have grabbed food out of garbage bins, I have worked, when available, at day labor. I have done all those things, so don't presume I don't know how the "other half" lives.

Also you presume much in regards to what happened in Venezuela, when the government in the 1970s nationalized the oil, they renegotiated NEW contracts with American based oil companies for them to continue operations and keep a large cut of the profits from the oil sales. Chavez tried to renegotiate the contracts again, as is STATED he can do in the ORIGINAL contracts, however the oil companies refused, not holding up their end of the bargain and so Chavez told them to leave. So no rug was pulled from under them, I'm sorry you feel it did.

Also, I fail to see where the money goes. 401k plans, really? Yeah right, like I believe that, besides, I don't work for them so I don't get a 401k from them to begin with. What I am concerned about is the fact that some people seem to believe that corporations should supercede states in all negotiations, THAT is disturbing, to say the least.

[Joe for Clark]

75. Don't tell me you lived on the streets in Sao Paulo.

And I don't presume what happened down south, I know - personal experience.

Where do you get this "they renegotiated new contracts" crap - THEY TOOK POSSESSION OF THE WELLS - OUR WELLS.

Let me ask you, honestly - if you bought a property and someone took it back - would you go investing there again?? That happened. What do you think happened to those people there when we pulled out??

And who do you think owns those corporations exactly?? I don't give the oil companies any quarter on this - they really are assholes - but man, we own the damn stocks thru our pensions and 401ks - it is true. Maybe you don't - but most people here do.

Please - Chavez is just another asshole, nothing more.

Joe

[Solon]

80. A title is a contract, understood?

Or do I need to write in in big letters, in crayon?

As far as my experience in blighted areas, I don't know about you, but living in a real life version of "Escape from New York" is bad enough, I would imagine. Look up where the blighted areas were actually filmed, I lived there.

OK, now, let's see if I can explain this AGAIN, GOVERNMENTS have the power to reassert control over THEIR natural resources ANY time they want. This is WRITTEN in BIG ASSED LETTERS in the TITLES for land ownership. The government of Venezuela took those titles BACK from our oil companies back in the 1970s, then they LEASED the land to those SAME companies, with specific provisions put in place for profit sharing, etc. Now, recently, the Government of Venezuela said they wanted a bigger cut, something that was ALREADY stated in the leasing contracts, and gave the oil companies the proper notice that they did so. Those companies then cried and packed up and went home. I wouldn't TRUST a company that CAN'T even follow laws or contracts with my retirement, but your mileage may vary in that regard.

As far as to whether or not those companies will go back to Venezuela, I hope not, and Chavez I don't think is weeping over that, and neither are the People of Venezuela either. I don't CARE for these companies, at all, they are assholes, as you stated, they are ripping us off, there is no question about that, probably in more ways than one.

[1932]

68. We all do better when we all do better, and that's across borders too.

Furthermore, what has the exploitative relationship between oil companies and the developing world given America anyway? It has given the oil companies a lot of economic and political power that has resulted in the government we have today and that government is making life miserable for for a lot of people other than its underwriters.

America would be better off if the people of Venezuela had been getting a bigger cut of the oil profits going back to the day they drilled the first well in Venezuela.

[Solon]

89. I agree, especially in regards to Latin America...

They, along with China, are considered the "factory floor" for our consumer goods. I don't want them to be unemployed, I want them to take back control of their economies from foriegn companies, most from the United States.

You know, I wouldn't care so much about if items said "Made in China" or "Made in Mexico" if the factories in question were Chinese or Mexican owned, in countries that were Democratic, with Union labor, and strong protections for human and worker rights. Right now the idea that China will reform in this manner is nil to none, and to be honest, we have little influence over their domestic policies. However, Latin America seems to be forging its own destiny, a new economic model, a combination of capitalism and socialism, but with a strong streak towards the socialist end, with trade policies that favor the worker over the corporation, and co-ops being preeminent. We may be late in the game, but woe to us if we don't even bother to try the same thing, after all, how can we compete in the future if we don't try what works?

[ProudDad]

87. NO HE IS NOT like W

You are SOOOO WRONG!

He actually comes from and cares about the majority of Venezuelans.

* was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple. He's OF the ruling class. This class of bandits are the real enemies of you and your child not Hugo Chavez who's really trying to help his people!

That's a significant difference and it's that difference that's worth supporting against the forces of u.s. imperialism!

[Bandit]

100. You give too much credit to Bush*

It is the GOP that has responsibility not just Bush* and they will continue on after Bush* is gone unless people like Chavez make it known how much the world dispises what they are doing in our name. It isn't just Chavez either. Most leaders are very unhappy with the direction the USA has taken this last Decade..They will reciprocate whether we like it or not..

[ToeBot]

29. Why stop short, nationalize the oil industry. It's too importaint...

a resource to leave up to corporatists, not to mention all the money the bastards are stealing (yes, stealing). If Mexico had had someone like Chavez after they nationalized in the 30's, they would be sending their national guard to to keep Americans out. Instead, they traded American crooks for Mexican crooks.

[katinmn]

58. I agree. But knowing the mindset of the country

nationalization is a pipedream.

I'd be happy with representative government for now.

[pokercat999]

94. Explain the problems with nationalizing essential

services like oil production, health care and casualty insurance like home and auto?

[atreides1]

51. Yes he is justified

You want to blame someone, point the finger at the 59 million idiots that voted for this loser, blame the clowns that keep voting for the Nazis with the R after their names.

They're the ones that wanted a one party theocratic government, and they are the ones resposible for your kid being in the line of fire, not Chavez.

Chavez is watching out for his own people, which is more than can be said for BushCo and his Republican minions.

The US military can't even deal with the FARC in Colombia, do you really think the Colombian government is going to allow the US to launch an invasion from their bases? If we as Americans suffer because of this decision by Chavez, then the ones to blame are those that keep rubber stamping BushCo's dictatorship.

What, just because we're the US we can dictate to any other country, I think not. We better get used
to this kind of thing, because this may be just the beginning. Only the people can save our country,
and that might require the same kind of courage that our founders had.

Tell your kid to keep his head down, and don't look over the top of the foxhole.

[leesa]

54. Fact is Joe, it's Venezuela's oil and they have a right to price it in

Euros and they have a right to make the oil companies pay their taxes and they have a right to everything I have read they are doing thus far. The US does not control the world. Our greed and selfishness got us into this spot. Now that things aren't going our way you get angry at another countries leadership?

[Joe for Clark]

70. Yes, I guess I do.

But I am telling you - dollar failure is going to cost you and your kids. W may not get it - but we better.

Joe

[Solon]

76. First, our deficit is weakening the dollar more than what Chavez did...

he is simply bailing on a failing currency anyways, who can fault him for looking out for his country's best interest?

[Joe for Clark]

77. I don't blame him for looking out for his interest.

I sure don't trust him, either.

[Solon]

82. What don't you trust him with?

That is the question, because, as far as I can tell, he nor any of his supporters are calling for an invasion of the United States, nor have they yet waged an aggressive campaign against any nation. In fact, all his actions on the international scene have been either a reaction to our government's policies, or an attempt at fostering goodwill with the people of our nation, outside of our government. Even I, a Chavez "Supporter" if you will, thinks this isn't altruistic, its calculated, but then again, no one besides Bush is harmed, and it actually HELPED people in OUR country. So, in that case, Chavez is neither a devil nor a saint, but he is loads better than Bush can ever hope to be. He's a politician, that is plain, but one who is at least TRYING to work things out in the best interests of HIS people, as is his duty as President. Our pResident seems to have forgotten that.

The stopping of foriegn exploitation by our government and our corporations is something that Chavez is taking a lead in, especially in South America, this I support, for treaties like the FTAA only spells an even bigger disaster for this nation than NAFTA did.

[Kailassa]

98. America has manipulated, bullied and stolen world-wide

for at least the last century.

Many Americans have regarded themselves as superior to people from other countries because they were wealthier, never considering that they were the wealthy ones because their country was busily stealing on their behalf. And American propaganda has focused on indoctrinating Americans in a belief in their own superiority, to keep them happily supporting such theft.

I'm very sad for the aware, caring Americans and their children who will suffer as a result of an idiotic president bringing these policies to a climax, and my country will most assuredly go down with America. But people like you I have no sympathy with. You're intelligent enough to know staging a coup in a foreign coutry in order to install a puppet government that you can control and make unfair contracts with is a massive form of theft. Wanting to continue that is indicative of a person's basic character.

When you push your hand so deeply into my cookie jar that you can't get it out, don't be surprised if it gets hurt when I smash that jar to get rid of you.

[David__77]

99. You only touch the tip of the iceberg.

The majority of this country doesn't give a shit about third world people. Not now, not under Clinton, either. They are justified in seeking a new world economic and political order in which the U.S. is not "number 1," consuming a vastly disprotionate portion of the global resources.

[IndianaGreen]

34. I talk like that all the time

and Chavez tells the truth where that nazi dominatrix Condi Rice has never told the truth.

[enid602]

9. Iran

Why don't ministers from all oil producing countries notify Bush through diplomatic means that they will start demanding EUROS IMMEDIATELY if Bush bombs IRAN. Heck, ALL central banks should contact Bush and threaten to dump the dollar.

[anotherdrew]

14. problem, there may not be enough euros to handle that volume of business

from what I hear, but what do I know? probably less than nothing

[muriel_volestrangler]

28. There's certainly enough euros for a lot of oil to be traded in it

The 'euroland' economy is about 3/4 of the US economy, I think; and of world currency reserves, 25% were in euros by the end of 2004, compared with 66% in dollars. At least one report thinks there are more paper euros in circulation than dollars in the world. Realistically, it won't be a sudden change by all producers and buyers, so I think the accounts would have enough time to be set up to do the trade.

[ProudDad]

88. They could do what the U.S. has been doing for years

just print more money.

As long as there was oil to prop it up, the U.S. mint has been rolling away.

That's why we'll hit bottom so hard when Oil is dealt in Euros instead of the dollar.

The real villains are the plutocrats in the U.S. who just pocketed all of the profits and didn't allow even crumbs from the table to drop for the people!

[katinmn]

15. Are you listening international community?

The USA can't have enough weapons to take on all the oil producing countries.

[cliss]

27. That's exactly it.

Bush CANNOT take on the entire world in his fight. He has to narrow it down to a few he wants to intimidate.

The problem is, he picked the wrong country (Iran). Iran is in fact strong, and they are fighting back. Look at the results from last week. Ahmadinejad made a trip to Indonesia. He was warmly welcomed. The leader said they were in solidarity with the Iranians.

Stupid Bush thought it would be so easy.

[stepnw1f]

12. Thank Our Great Diplomat, Bush

that fuck head has screwed us so bad.... I want to bankrupt his whole goddamn family. I really do...

[katinmn]

16. I want to take all their billions and redistribute it.

Let Babs camp out in a parking lot for the rest of her life.

[stepnw1f]

20. I'd drop Her off in Afghanaistan

And tell her to clean the images from her precious mind.

[anotherdrew]

13. with the dollar loosing so much value, oil prices must rise

they have to do something to protect the value of their product

[Jayhawk Lib]

21. What is stopping him?

It is his oil and he can sell it anyway he wants. If he wants to do it in Euros that is his right....

[RufusEarl]

22. This is why i think we went into Iraq.

Saddam had planned to sell Iraqi oil via the euro instead of the greenback, and it's my position thats why the decider went to war.

Iran had planned to start selling their oil via the euro back in march, but for some reason changed their minds. It's now my understanding that Iran will start selling their oil via euros starting in June. Maybe on 6-6-06

I like Hugo, but if he keep poking the decider with a stick and then threatens to sell his countries oil via the euro instead of the greenback. Well!!

[Paulie]

26. Sadam didn't Plan, he DID

And the US was happy about it at the time, since it was 0.80 Euro's to the Dollar. But Sadam pocketed the difference, legally, as part of the oil for food program after the Dollar inverted it's price to the Euro.

Just wait till countries start selling Dollars for Euro's, the price spread will increase so fast... hold on to your wallet! ;)

[PSPS]

36. They never forget to throw in a smear, do they?

> "Mr Chavez has been accused of flirting with authoritarianism at home
> and backing despots abroad - not least in Iran, where he has forged close
> ties."

[Judi Lynn]

44. I doubt they are capable of writing one clean article without the

obligatory slur. These articles don't just carry "information." They have to reinforce the perception molding which goes on continually.

Damned odd. It's like a bad stutter. They just can't write one without the political backstabbing.

[cliss]

50. Yes, it's amazing isn't it?

I have never seen an article about Chavez that doesn't introduce him as 'strong-man', or 'dictator', or 'leftist', or 'firebrand'. it's like they are unable to just say, "Hugo Chavez said...", or "Mr. Chavez did..."

But then again, they do it with all their hate objects. They do that with all their upstarts. And it's incredibly insulting to Americans, as if they can't remember people, or that they are too ignorant about world affairs, so they have to be 'reminded'.

Funny thing, though, I've never seen them introduce Musharraf as "Dictator Musharraf". They probably have a rules book where they apply the correct title.

[dysfunctional press]

55. You GO, Hugo!

woof- woof...

[Doctor_J]

56. Hugo vs. Smirk in the PR battle

is like Kasparov playing me in chess. Our "leader" is a stupid, spoilt child who's being beaten in the desert by Al Queda and in the newspapers by Chavez.

[natrat]

62. maybe the neocons are massivley,massively short the dollar

and just want it to implode
i like hugo and all but if they go to the euro we are so incredibly fucked; but maybe thats the neocon plan

[1932]

63. Historically, selfish right-wingers make money off the swings

Their motto isn't "all boats are lifted by a rising tide" and neither is it "we're all better off when we're all better off."

It's actually along the lines of, "cause chaos and huge swings, no matter how much misery it causes a majority of people, and make sure you're in the right business at the right time."

That's why it's so important for them to control government -- it allows them to cause the swings.

[lovuian]

64. The reason the dollar is sinking!!!

economical warfare...

[HuffleClaw]

81. the price of BUSH BULLYING

go chavez go!

[Mojorabbit]

85. I won't cheer on a possible collapse of our currency

I sure don't want to live through a depression and all it would entail. While I support Chavez's right to do what he wants with his country's resources I dread what it would mean for this country If oil is priced in euros.

[killbotfactory]

86. Just a reminder:

Chavez got along fine with Clinton.
Imagine if we didn't have a complete batshit insane asshole in the WH right now.

[Judi Lynn]

92. Thanks for pointing that out. There was NO saber rattling, and NO

dirty business pouring millions into the Venezuelan opposition, bribing union officials, arranging strikes, and shuttling Venezuelan opposition members, and the wayward military officials to Washington to meet with Otto Reich repeatedly in a run-up to a US-arranged coup, with Clinton acting exactly like a President!

Republicans can't bring themselves to just do the damned job properly. They are always in it for the power. They want to have some fun shoving people around, and opening rivers of blood whenever possible. Dirtballs.

[Ghost Dog]

93. Well said, Judi Lynn.

cf. eg.:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,688071,00.html
Venezuela coup linked to Bush team

Specialists in the 'dirty wars' of the Eighties encouraged the plotters who tried to topple President Chavez

Observer Worldview

Ed Vulliamy in New York
Sunday April 21, 2002
The Observer

The failed coup in Venezuela was closely tied to senior officials in the US government, The Observer has established. They have long histories in the 'dirty wars' of the 1980s, and links to death squads working in Central America at that time.

Washington's involvement in the turbulent events that briefly removed left-wing leader Hugo Chavez from power last weekend resurrects fears about US ambitions in the hemisphere.

It also also deepens doubts about policy in the region being made by appointees to the Bush administration, all of whom owe their careers to serving in the dirty wars under President Reagan.

/more...

[natrat]

103. truely pathetic--cant even get a coup right

[Yavin4]

95. For Joe for Clark, Your Logic on This Thread Is The Root Cause for Terror

Joe,

It's all about balance. When energy companies sign one-sided deals with third world dictators, this creates an imbalance. One corporation gets obscenely wealthy while a nation of people sit in poverty. Having large populations of people living in poverty and squalor leads to terrorism.

[Paulie]

102. Yep! Read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"

[paparush]

96. We'll be hearing Warm Fuzzies from Cheney any moment now..