What did you all think of Chavez at the UN today?

Question

I personally don't like a lot of the Bush administration's policies, but it's not right to disrespect the OFFICE of the presidency like that! If he thinks the UN is 'worthless' as he stated, why did he bother to show up?

http://home.bellsouth.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=2219&eeid=5036934&_sitecat=1505&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt

We have freedom to speak out but I don't like it when people disrespect the office of the presidency and what it stands for in our country. He ranted on like a mad man & those who applauded must be crazy too.

Answer 1

Chavez is neither a diplomat nor a United States person. He is a populist politician, returning in kind the epithets and taunts US politicians levy at him. And remember, that he was outsted once through a US-engineered coup.

Here's what today's Wall Street Journal has to say:

"Speeches by leaders of 57 nations over the past two days -- and many more to come -- reveal a world body awash in grievances over trade, the Iraq war, perceived U.S. unilateralism, Washington's drug policy in Latin America and the "great powers" structure of the U.N. itself. All illustrate, some observers say, a rising chorus of discontent with the world order envisioned by the U.S."

Rest at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115876861116368987.html or
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.politics.bush/browse_frm/thread/af9997ea977998f9/9fffcd1427d77744

Blaming Chavez for being undiplomatic and articulating what most of the outside world thinks is not going to make the problem go away. As the Daily Telegraph (UK) and other papers report this morning, Gen John Abizaid has pointed out that in the event of conflict, "Iran could trigger a global terrorist campaign and choke the West's oil supplies."

That's no reason for appeasement. But neither is it useful to blame the messenger, in this case Chavez. Or to assume that the US can retreat into its borders. Not when Americans continue to go shopping while a few soldiers fight on fruitlessly in Iraq, and the Bush Administration spends down the nation's wealth and borrows against future generations' earning power.

Nor is it useful, like ihaftaknow, to blame the UN itself. The UN is mostly a talk shop. But while countries are still tallking they are mostly not waging war. If the US press isn't going to tell America anything, it's well to have some organization that will.

And if one is worried about the "cost" of the UN, one also should look at where the UN spends much of its money: in New York City.

Answer 2

I thought that Chavez hurt his cause more than he helped it by his remarks about Bush. On the other hand, Bush has shown more disrespect for the office of President tham anyone in recent memory. I find it interesting that, even though Chavez is the only person that gave a damn about the impact of high heating fuel costs on the poor last winter, he got little or no credit for it.

from the N.Y. Times
Published: November 23, 2005
"Two nonprofit Massachusetts energy groups signed an agreement on Tuesday with Citgo, the American subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, to provide discounted home heating oil this winter to thousands of low-income state residents.

The populist government of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is one of Latin America's most vocal critics of American-style capitalism and a fervent adversary of the Bush administration.

Citgo will supply more than 12 million gallons of heating oil over the next four months at 40 percent below market prices. It will be distributed by the two nonprofit organizations, the Citizens Energy Corporation and the Mass Energy Consumer Alliance.

The agreement was brokered by Representative Bill Delahunt, Democrat of Massachusetts, after Mr. Chavez made the offer of discounted oil in August while visiting Cuba."

Of all the oil companies that were approached, Citgo was the only one that did anything to help. Think about it.

Answer 3

damn money man...what if we could all have a day or two without money??? like everything was free, that would be a day the whole world would eat. Bush isn't smart enough to lead a country, this is obvious. All he knows is how to screw things up. It seems obvious that his presidency is being used to take care of personal and private interests rather than venture into the most difficult and primary presidential task of serving the nation and its people.

Its like Bush thinks the people of the country are those who are most closely related to the nations economic matters, the money makers and so forth, forigen policy is the same, those who are involved monetarily through trade and the rest is just formatlity, i.e. the rest of us don't exist.

Answer 4

Bush isn't any devil. i think of Pres. Bush is a guy of understanding. guy, look Bush made some blunders all people in his place could of made some blunders however the component i like approximately Bush is, he stands his floor. i think of Pres. Bush is a huge chief. Leaders make no longer common judgements. i think of Chavez and his gang purely prefer to have they're going to way. so as that they are utilising the UN to pout.

Answer 5

I watched that speech today and it appeared to me that, while it was extreme, the man 'felt' what he was saying... he appeared fed up with USA dominance, aggression and arrogance.

I guess he just decided to speak his mind, ya know.

From the reaction in the audience with ppl shaking their heads in agreement and quite few applauds, I think he had the courage to say out loud what a lot of them are thinking.

As far as respect that you mentioned, did you read or listen to Chavez's speech and Bush's speech yesterday? Bush gives them no respect. He talks to the ppl of the UN as though they where children and he is Daddy.

Answer 6

Give me a break! every body abuses the UN even the mighty USA. I was stunned that I heard little mention of Sudan. a very urgent problem. I thought It was apt speech.. for these times (but I don't think Mr Bush is smart enough to be the devil)

Answer 7

how could he not. S.hit went down in Ven. early 2000's he's after Bush's neck. I think they're still mad at Bush about the attempted coup he was trying to get going.

Bush did apologize for it, but I guess there was no kiss and make up session.

Answer 8

He is a real jerk, no respect for our country to come here on our soil and say things like that, see what we are dealing with, total idiots.

Answer 9

Bush probably sounds the same to him. Out of respect, Bush doesnt have enough sense to pour piss out of a boot.

Answer 10

This guy is full of crap. It's better to not listen to him. The US shouldn't listen to this guy. He's looking for trouble. By the way, did you know he's buying weapons from other countries? He tried buying weapons from the U.S. but it didnt work.