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May 16th, 2006

01:33 am - Rant about Capitalism, again http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4774475.stm In the wake of Hugo Chavez visitting the UK, the United States of America has declared Venezuela a "country of concern". This means an arms embargo on Venezuela. Now aside from all the things I could say about the arms trade, I'm concentrating on the fact the USA is trying to censure Venezuela. This is a total joke, except for the fact it is not funny. So Venezuela may or may not be supporting or fighting against internal terrorist groups. Ultimately, this is neither the business of the USA nor the true issue at stake. The real issues are: 1. Years of left-wing governments has invested in healthcare and education. Venezuela might not be a "western" country with an excellent welfare state, but it is certainly getting that and looks to continue doing so. This goes against American neo-liberal (what a bullshit phrase) economics, and prevents the "western" countries grubbing out the country like a team of sumo wrsetlers at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. 2. This years public reclaimation of Venezuela's oil reserves will mean these socially just and sensible programs will be able to continue, and even grow, at the expense of us making money out of Venezuela's oil. This is a big issue with the current risk of turmoil in the middle east, the USA doesn't want a load of commies redistributing oil and oil wealth back to their own country. (Incidentally, in English law, if you find oil, gas or coal on land you own, it automatically belongs to the Crown. Not so different eh?) 3. Venezuela's left-wing President, Chavez, has publicly denounced President Bush as a "terrorist" and accused him of commiting genocide in Iraq. Not something Bush is going to be too impressed with, especially with his with us or against us rhetoric. 4. In the USA, Pat Robertson, a respected Christian televangelist (note, not respected by myself or any Christian I know personally) suggested on live television, "We have the ability to take him (Chavez) out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability" on the basis that it would stop Venezuela becoming "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism". He also refers to him as a "strong-arm dictator". I mean, is that fucking ridiculous or what? He was democratically elected, repeatly in the past 8 years or so, and a brief coup in 2002 ended when literally millions protested in the street and the army changed to Chavez side. Christians should never be advocating or perpetrating violence - to suggest assasinating a democratically elected leader on the basis he might prevent you sucking the oil out of his country as fast as you'd like is ridiculous. 5. Venezuela has ties with Cuba and Iran. So if they talk to the USA's enemies, that basically makes them the USA's enemies, right? There will probably be a war over this, unless the rest of the "western" world can get it into the USA's thick skull - You do not own the world, No-one died and made you King, and promoting democracy while calling democratically elected leaders dictators is a little two-faced, even for you. Capitalism - what's it done for us? Current Location: Cambridge, UK Current Mood: cynical Current Music: None, as it is quite late Tags: america, capitalism, politics

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