exactly, The US had been messing around with Central and South America since the days of the bay of pigs.

Anyone remember Iran/contra?

Arms for hostages for drugs.

Well said Gilberto, it pleases me to see that all of America is not awash in the kinds of ignorance and idiocy posted on this and other sites ad infinitum, ad nauseum. While I'm at it, they should also take the time to read Eduardo Galeano's "Open Veins of Latin America." Learn what our country has been up,a nd this people is just in the Southern Hemisphere!! America is not like you. Don't extrapolate your own sense of personal decency and goodness onto your government. They are not one and the same thing, sorry. A government of the people and by the people never existed in America, and it never will. Think about it well.

For truth about Republican foreign policy try:

www.thirdworldtraveler.com

Thank god for the true progressives like Chavez that actually have the guts to say the truth unlike most democrats that play touch while the republicans play tackle. Let's see republicans supported Osama, Sadam, Installed Pinochet, supported Noriega, supported Somosa for nearly 40 years while he raped Nicaragua as long as he was doing biz with them, installed the Shaw of Iran, ran death squads that killed thousands of women children nuns and priests in Central America, supported the Murderous dictator Rios Mont of Guatemala, expelled the democratically elected president of Haiti etc. When some of these dictators no longer wanted the riches of their countries to go to rich Republicans, Republicans suddenly notice the undemocratic atrocities that they commit and attack them. Republicans are racists and godless to think that the resources and riches of other lands belong to billionaire international businesses and not the people that live in those countries. Chavez just spoke about the tip of the icebergh. Take Chavez's advice and read Chomsky to educate your selfish selves. Also read Confessions of an economic Hit man.

At least we can all agree that it is not some unnamed, unknown foreigners that will bring America down. It's the Americans. Phew. I was worried there for a sec. Now we just need to figure out which ones.

Ugolino (Ugo Chavez) He's just a loud wanna be dictator who has come over here to make noise. He is posturing like a proud rooster. What a way to divert the attention of the people of Venezuela (and the attention of many delegates at the UN) away from the fact that, under the false actions to nationalize his country's resources and major industries, he has made himself virtually President for Life and done away with many of their civil liberties. I have seen his like before--his antics reminded me of the old days at the UN, when Nikita Kruschev banged his shoes on the table and Fidel Castro played the strutting cock. Good gracious, remember Yassir Arafat lecturing the UN General Assembly in his combat fatigues?

But Chavez isn't half as smart as Castro was. It's one thing to pretend that you're picking a fight with President Bush when you're over on the East Side; it's quite another to come up to a church in Harlem and use the same language about him. It takes quite a bit to make Charlie Rangel mad! Chaves is a bumbling idiot.

Brooklynite: Oh great one. You are more superior. Who is we...?

Speak for yourself. Is it not possible for you to stand alone and say something. Who is "WE?" Who elected you leader in the cause of pro or anti Chavez?

Frued said sometimes an orange is just an orange.

He was not expert, but he had a point here and there. A penis is just a penis and a gun is just a gun.

"...your intellectual superiority and facility with humor..."

You are the genius if you are seeing so much. I see no humor in the misguided perspective of the people on this blog site. Especially the Americans. It is not the leaders who will bring America down. It will be the mis guided people who don't know when to be loyal.

coldhand, your intellectual superiority and facility with humor was amply demonstrated by your NOT! and subtle gun/penis jokes.

We all tip our hats to your genius.

Chavez spoke the truth; this country is being run by a stooge who's going to drag us all down to hell with him.

Donate to dems in tough races this year through actblue.com . . . kick the bums out!

a girl named Rock:

When other countries invade the USA, what are you gonna do?

When someone in your neighborhood puts you family down do you agree with them. If a neighbor called your mother disrepectful names would you agree with them? Probably not. The principle is the point I am getting at.

It is not about what Chavez said. It is about his audacity to speak so candidly while he is a guest in this country. That is very disrespectful. He would have been more respected had he spoke with intelligence and with words that make any person want to take his thoughts as those he had integrity.

He can not throw stones if he lives in a glass house.

Chavez chose to speak in New York City because he knows that this is a Democratic city for the most part. He has tried to PUNK New Yorkers. He is playing NYC. Some New Yorkers are falling into his trap.

Once again,

Viva La revoluzion!

More power to you my fellow bros and sisters in venezuela.

You keep watching Fox news on your satelite flores.

S.D.: seven years in baby doll. Want to see my big gun?

It's funny listening to the media and politicians get upset at someone denouncing Bush when they do it daily.

I say bravo to President Chavez. I wish I could have seen him first hand.

So much humor in the whole thing, esp. Gov. Pataki saying the best thing Chavez can do is go home and provide "freedom" to his people. That sounds like the war cry that our government always uses prior to invasion.

poor venezuelans dont have their own computer they work in an oil refinery with an engineering degree for 200 dollars a month.

On the other hand the lazy poors are frequently lefty and dream with their goverment doing everything for them.

A real revolution would be to educate everyone in the world.

Your friend from the High School Avalos. from the getho El Valle in Caracas Venezuela, we are all poor here in El Valle Caracas, take a look one day

Margaret: How do you know what the rest of the world is thinking? You need to come up with a better justification for the actions of Chavez and his big mouth.

You just don't know what you are talking about because you have no facts to substantiate your comments. Nor do you know what motivates other world leaders.

Where did you get your information, Time Magazine or the International Inquirer?

"coldhand", Have you enlisted?

T: "former are milder than caffeine and have been chewed by south american peoples for thousands of years."

Maybe that is their problem. Too much of a good thing.

Hey Margaret: Jesus was talking to the Jews. And furthermore, Chavez is not a lowly citizen looking for the answers to life. He is just as power hungry other politicians. He is a wanna be. He certainly AINT Jesus.

Why don't you go enlist in the military and help

change the world instead of sitting around complain about the world leader.

I am certain you could make more sound decisions under scrutiny and pressure. NOT...LOL!!!!

bumbaclaut is just fine. I have problem with it's meaning. Just because you think in nasty terms does not mean that I subscribe to your definition. It's all a part of the body and life. Weren't you born via a bumbaclaut? What's the problem? Life?

However, you should read the context of my response before jumping on the bandwagon Miquel.

And if I chose to make reference to Crown Hts in the negatve, then I shall do so as often as I please.

He's milking his constituency back home, just like any other politician.

Wonder what Other books get promoted by President Chavez next?

finally - someone spoke the truth...

was Jesus wrong when he called the Pharisees and Saducees a "brood of vipers?"

I don't think so...

Chavez just said what most of the rest of the world is thinking.