Venezuelan discount oil is delivered (to Maine and 15 other US States)

[Robbien]

<snip>

O'Connor said the Venezuelan-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp. intends to provide nearly 8 million gallons of heating oil and kerosene to roughly 40,000 low-income Maine households at a 40 percent discount from the retail price. Nationally, the program will cover 16 states and provide cut-rate oil to more that 400,000 households.

. . .

In a statement coinciding with Tuesday's oil delivery, Baldacci said, "It is a good opportunity for people to review that program and decide whether they want to take advantage of it."

For Leonard, who keeps the thermostat in her first-floor apartment at 60 degrees to conserve fuel, the decision was a no-brainer, even as she deflected questions about Chavez and his relations with the U.S. "I think it's wonderful that he's looking out for people," she said.

. . .


"Ultimately, it's the consumer who's going to determine whether they want to deal with Citizens Energy and whether they want a discount," Py said. "I've got to think that if it's January and I can get $500 worth of oil for $300, it's going to be a pretty easy decision for most people, not withstanding where the oil comes from."

Citgo is also providing discounted oil under a separate program to 163 Indian tribes, including five in Maine. The company has also earmarked 500,000 gallons of free fuel to homeless shelters across the state.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/12132006/mainenews-ph-me-venezuela.oil.html

[AndyA]

1. Leave it to a horrible, mean, corrupt man like Chavez to help Americans

stay warm this winter.

And what has Bush done to help us with our heating bills?

Anything?









...Anything at all?









Hmmm...guess that just about says it. :eyes:

[Judi Lynn]

2. This is good news for the Americans on a reduced income. Surely they learned already

that their Democratic Congress people have already gone, with hat in hand, to the American oil companies, pleading for discounted winter prices for the poorest of their constituents, only to be shown the door.

It needs to be stressed that Venezuela didn't think this up: they were contacted by good Congress folk, looking out for their struggling citizens, and those Democratic Congresspeople found the resources denied them by our own oil companies.

Once you understand this, it seems STUPID to attempt to bash Venezuela's government, and call this a bid for attention, propaganda, yadda yadda yadda, when the idea arose RIGHT HERE, and arose because Democrats looked for an answer people NEEDED.

[Robbien]

4. Funny when you know Chavez is donating less than what Exxon spends on ads

during the same time period.

BP oil is trying to get in people's good graces by their "green" ad campaign. BP oil would get more bang for their buck if instead of buying television time, they donated oil in the same way Chavez does.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Amazing. So glad you mentioned this.

I've seen their "green" ads, and they just don't look convincing to me at this late stage.

They should have been cleaning up their act long, long, long ago. They seem completely insincere, trying to get approval for something which should have been there from the start.

I hope people will start making the correct connection when they hear of Venezuelan oil going to Americans: that this is actually plan B, and the American companies already turned their backs on the poor of these 16 states, and the 168 or so Native American tribes.

[Mnemosyne]

3. k and r for Hugo! n/t