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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 12:56:56 PM

Title: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 12:56:56 PM


(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090419/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_summit_chavez_s_gift;_ylt=AqfXTrG6wIb35dJ4foRvM.Gs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJwZzkwdXY0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwNDE5L2NiX3N1bW1pdF9jaGF2ZXpfc19naWZ0BGNwb3MDOQRwb3MDMTcEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDY2hhdmV6c2dpZnR0)
QuotePORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – A book by an Uruguayan journalist that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave to President Barack Obama is now the No. 5 seller on Amazon.com.

It's an astounding jump for "Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent," by Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano.

The paperback edition was ranked 54,295 on the online retailer before Chavez gave Obama a Spanish-language edition of the 1971 book on Saturday. It had jumped to No. 5 by Sunday.

The English hardcover edition is listed as out of print.

Galeano's book documents how foreign interests have dominated and afflicted Latin America since the Spanish conquest. It's a favorite among leftists.

:bleeding:

I did like this though:
QuoteAn aide to Mr. Obama later suggested the U.S. president was unlikely to read the book, given that it was written in Spanish.
:D
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 01:04:42 PM
From wiki:

QuoteBesides his native English, Obama speaks Indonesian at the conversational level, which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Brain on April 19, 2009, 01:22:13 PM
Whoa. A president who supposedly had some edumacation doesn't even fully speak 2+ languages?

FAIL
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Valmy on April 19, 2009, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

Well Spanish is widely known among people who live in Hawaii and Chicago.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Ed Anger on April 19, 2009, 01:25:07 PM
Indonesian? Great.

Merkel: Barack, how about this new arms deal?

Obama: WINDJAMMER ORGASM!

Merkel: Excuse me?

Obama: FOOT TWIST CATAMARAN!
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:25:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 19, 2009, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

Well Spanish is widely known among people who live in Hawaii and Chicago.
It'd be useful as a community organizer in Chicago, though obviously the South Side around Hyde Park isn't the most Hispanic part of the city.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Brain on April 19, 2009, 01:32:06 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 19, 2009, 01:25:07 PM
Indonesian? Great.

Merkel: Barack, how about this new arms deal?

Obama: WINDJAMMER ORGASM!

Merkel: Excuse me?

Obama: FOOT TWIST CATAMARAN!


:w00t:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 19, 2009, 01:38:31 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:25:26 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 19, 2009, 01:22:55 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

Well Spanish is widely known among people who live in Hawaii and Chicago.
It'd be useful as a community organizer in Chicago, though obviously the South Side around Hyde Park isn't the most Hispanic part of the city.
Only if you were interested in non-blacks, which Obama obviously wasn't.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: FunkMonk on April 19, 2009, 05:56:21 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 19, 2009, 01:32:06 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 19, 2009, 01:25:07 PM
Indonesian? Great.

Merkel: Barack, how about this new arms deal?

Obama: WINDJAMMER ORGASM!

Merkel: Excuse me?

Obama: FOOT TWIST CATAMARAN!


:w00t:

:lmfao: :lmfao:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 19, 2009, 07:46:47 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 19, 2009, 01:25:07 PM
Indonesian? Great.

Merkel: Barack, how about this new arms deal?

Obama: WINDJAMMER ORGASM!

Merkel: Excuse me?

Obama: FOOT TWIST CATAMARAN!

:lmfao: Awesome!
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Viking on April 19, 2009, 08:16:22 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 01:04:42 PM
From wiki:

QuoteBesides his native English, Obama speaks Indonesian at the conversational level, which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.

We need bmollson here to tell you the language is called Bahasa.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?

Well considering that not so long ago he called Obama "A poor ignoramus," I think it is pretty much a slam dunk.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:20:41 PM
Quote from: Viking on April 19, 2009, 08:16:22 PM
We need bmollson here to tell you the language is called Bahasa.

It isn't in English.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:24:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?

Well considering that not so long ago he called Obama "A poor ignoramus," I think it is pretty much a slam dunk.

The administration seems to be treating it as an actual gift, which is diplomacy I suppose, but it would be nice if we gave Chavez "The Essential Toby Keith" as a similar "gift."
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:25:50 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:24:16 PM
The administration seems to be treating it as an actual gift, which is diplomacy I suppose, but it would be nice if we gave Chavez "The Essential Toby Keith" as a similar "gift."

That's because:
QuoteDefending his brand of world politics, President Barack Obama said Sunday that he "strengthens our hand" by reaching out to enemies of the United States and making sure that the nation is a leader, not a lecturer, of democracy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090420/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cb_obama_summit
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 19, 2009, 08:29:08 PM
The inability of the forum software to break long URLs is irritating.

The fact that a certain poster insists on using yahoo as a news source is even worse.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:34:26 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:25:50 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:24:16 PM
The administration seems to be treating it as an actual gift, which is diplomacy I suppose, but it would be nice if we gave Chavez "The Essential Toby Keith" as a similar "gift."

That's because:
QuoteDefending his brand of world politics, President Barack Obama said Sunday that he "strengthens our hand" by reaching out to enemies of the United States and making sure that the nation is a leader, not a lecturer, of democracy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090420/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cb_obama_summit

Barack is right, and thankfully he is less confrontational than I am.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:36:05 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 19, 2009, 08:29:08 PM
The inability of the forum software to break long URLs is irritating.

The fact that a certain poster insists on using yahoo as a news source is even worse.

I fixed it. I realized that yahoo is just adding on a lot of crap. :)
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:36:47 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:34:26 PM
Barack is right, and thankfully he is less confrontational than I am.

I don't think he is right in this instance.  We've nothing to gain from Chavez.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:42:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:36:47 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:34:26 PM
Barack is right, and thankfully he is less confrontational than I am.

I don't think he is right in this instance.  We've nothing to gain from Chavez.

If Chavez can't portray himself as in a cold war with the United States, all he becomes is a blowhard in charge of a failing country. That won't help him at home, or help him export his "revolution."

We do have an interest in the success of Latin America and having friendly relations there, and Chavez isn't helping us in either regard.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: dps on April 19, 2009, 08:42:48 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:24:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?

Well considering that not so long ago he called Obama "A poor ignoramus," I think it is pretty much a slam dunk.

The administration seems to be treating it as an actual gift, which is diplomacy I suppose, but it would be nice if we gave Chavez "The Essential Toby Keith" as a similar "gift."

How about "The Wealth of Nations"? 
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Siege on April 19, 2009, 08:47:50 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

He doesn't need to.

The only languages you need in this world are english and hebrew.

And since he is not jewish, english is all he needs.


Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 19, 2009, 08:50:40 PM
Quote from: Siege on April 19, 2009, 08:47:50 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

He doesn't need to.

The only languages you need in this world are english and hebrew.

And since he is not jewish, english is all he needs.
Why Hebrew?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:52:08 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:42:32 PM
If Chavez can't portray himself as in a cold war with the United States, all he becomes is a blowhard in charge of a failing country. That won't help him at home, or help him export his "revolution."

We do have an interest in the success of Latin America and having friendly relations there, and Chavez isn't helping us in either regard.

He can just spin it that we're now extra devious as we are willing to say kind things but don't really mean them.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Siege on April 19, 2009, 09:00:59 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 19, 2009, 08:50:40 PM
Quote from: Siege on April 19, 2009, 08:47:50 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 19, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
Can Obama speak or read any foreign languages?  Surprised he doesn't know Spanish to be honest.

He doesn't need to.

The only languages you need in this world are english and hebrew.

And since he is not jewish, english is all he needs.
Why Hebrew?


Because you don't understand it, barbarian.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 19, 2009, 09:07:00 PM
Quote from: Siege on April 19, 2009, 09:00:59 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 19, 2009, 08:50:40 PM
Why Hebrew?
Because you don't understand it, barbarian.
Insufficient reasoning.  After all, Hebrew is completely irrelevant, spoken only by a tiny sect, many of whom are bilingual anyways.  It's doomed to disappear and be absorbed into the Anglosphere.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Savonarola on April 19, 2009, 09:56:56 PM
Quote from: dps on April 19, 2009, 08:42:48 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:24:16 PM
The administration seems to be treating it as an actual gift, which is diplomacy I suppose, but it would be nice if we gave Chavez "The Essential Toby Keith" as a similar "gift."

How about "The Wealth of Nations"?

"The Wealth of Nations" would have been a poor reciprocal since it is well written and well thought out; unlike the book Barack got.  Obama should have given him "Atlas Shrugged", instead.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 19, 2009, 10:03:35 PM
 :P I like the Toby Keith idea. :brownnose:

Or maybe The Basics of Skin Care.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: DisturbedPervert on April 19, 2009, 10:29:35 PM
I'm surprised Obama didn't give him one of his autobiographies in return.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: PDH on April 19, 2009, 10:58:48 PM
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 19, 2009, 10:29:35 PM
I'm surprised Obama didn't give him one of his autobiographies in return.
:rolleyes:  Obama gifted him with his presence.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: MadImmortalMan on April 20, 2009, 02:28:10 AM
He should give it to Bush. He knows Spanish.  :P
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2009, 07:32:22 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 19, 2009, 09:56:56 PM
"The Wealth of Nations" would have been a poor reciprocal since it is well written and well thought out; unlike the book Barack got.  Obama should have given him "Atlas Shrugged", instead.

Is it that bad? I haven't read it and the issue gives me slight shudders, but it's apparently a cult book amongst the South American left (which might not be a good endorsement after all anyway).
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Alatriste on April 20, 2009, 07:53:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2009, 07:32:22 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 19, 2009, 09:56:56 PM
"The Wealth of Nations" would have been a poor reciprocal since it is well written and well thought out; unlike the book Barack got.  Obama should have given him "Atlas Shrugged", instead.

Is it that bad? I haven't read it and the issue gives me slight shudders, but it's apparently a cult book amongst the South American left (which might not be a good endorsement after all anyway).

'Atlas shrugged' a cult book amongst the South American left? I find that very hard to believe, you probably have mistaken the title... google 'Ayn Rand' if you don't know who she was.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Larch on April 20, 2009, 08:03:12 AM
Quote from: Alatriste on April 20, 2009, 07:53:59 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 20, 2009, 07:32:22 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 19, 2009, 09:56:56 PM
"The Wealth of Nations" would have been a poor reciprocal since it is well written and well thought out; unlike the book Barack got.  Obama should have given him "Atlas Shrugged", instead.

Is it that bad? I haven't read it and the issue gives me slight shudders, but it's apparently a cult book amongst the South American left (which might not be a good endorsement after all anyway).

'Atlas shrugged' a cult book amongst the South American left? I find that very hard to believe, you probably have mistaken the title... google 'Ayn Rand' if you don't know who she was.

I meant "The open veins of Latin America".  :P With such a subtle subtitle as "Five centuries of the pillage of a continent" I don't have high hopes about it.  :lol:

Edit: Having been around the net, I've been already exposed to much more Ayn Rand stuff than I would like to.  ;)
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Ed Anger on April 20, 2009, 08:05:30 AM
Atlas Shrugged is a cult book among retards however.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 08:40:27 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:36:47 PM
I don't think he is right in this instance.  We've nothing to gain from Chavez.

Being friendly to him might do us some good to the other South American nations.  It will make us look reasonable and him look more and more like a buffoon.  But yes he has no interest in doing anything for us.  His regime is based on paranoia of neo-Liberal forces backed by the evil United States.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 08:43:59 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?

Yeah, and Mr. Obama took it smiling.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 08:46:27 AM
Quote from: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 08:43:59 AM
Yeah, and Mr. Obama took it smiling.

Smiling and patting nutjob on the head is probably the best way of dealing with him.  Besides Obama probably had no idea WTF an obscure Spanish book was about.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Berkut on April 20, 2009, 08:48:50 AM
Quote from: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 08:43:59 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:14:26 PM
Considering the content of the book, was this a gift or another way of giving us the middle finger?

Yeah, and Mr. Obama took it smiling.

As he should have.

You don't get offended when the gnat tries to take a bite, you simply don't notice.

Chavez is a nobody, in the overall scheme of things. We should treat him as such.

I think Obama made a damn good point when he noted that Cuba gets a lot of sympathy from Latin America because they do things like send out doctors and such, while most of the political interaction with the US is based on drug interdiction, military assistance, and us telling them what they ought to be doing.

I think Obama is on the right track, I just hope he now follows through on it.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 20, 2009, 09:44:10 AM
I liked this brief analysis (part of a larger article about how Obama is willing to admit the US makes mistakes, not a problem in my view):

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hoQPmCrjVtkhei2oW-PCLMqnS3ygD97LQLNG0

QuoteSaid that "if our only interaction with many of these countries is drug interdiction, if our only interaction is military, then we may not be developing the connections that can, over time, increase our influence" — neglecting to mention U.S. health care, education and humanitarian relief efforts in Latin America.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Camper on April 20, 2009, 10:05:49 AM
I put a hold on the translated version of that book at the library the other day, but there were already a couple of dozen people ahead of me in the queue. 
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: KRonn on April 20, 2009, 10:15:23 AM
I think Pres Obama handled this gift well. Not much he could do really, just accept it rather than make a stink about it which would give Chavez supporters a smile. Pres Obama is talking about taking some different steps in South/Central America, doing help in other ways that maybe the US hasn't been doing outside of anti-drug, military assistance. I think that while the US does do a decent amount of economic aid, still that doesn't seem so noticeable. Obama wants to change that, change the tone; good ideas and I hope he carries through on it.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 10:42:24 AM
Quote from: Camper on April 20, 2009, 10:05:49 AM
I put a hold on the translated version of that book at the library the other day, but there were already a couple of dozen people ahead of me in the queue. 

All I know of it is that it is the title of a Los Fabulosos Cadillacs song.  I may give it a read as well, though I'm sure it's filled with leftist Latin American anti-US drivel.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: DGuller on April 20, 2009, 10:51:14 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 19, 2009, 09:56:56 PM
"The Wealth of Nations" would have been a poor reciprocal since it is well written and well thought out; unlike the book Barack got.  Obama should have given him "Atlas Shrugged", instead.
Well-written?  Maybe by 18th century standards.  Do you ever wonder why 75% of the "Wealth of Nations" quotes are about the butcher and his lack of benevolence?  It's because this example appears almost at the very beginning of the book.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Savonarola on April 20, 2009, 11:00:45 AM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2009, 10:51:14 AM

Well-written?  Maybe by 18th century standards.  Do you ever wonder why 75% of the "Wealth of Nations" quotes are about the butcher and his lack of benevolence?  It's because this example appears almost at the very beginning of the book.

I found it clear and easy to understand.  :unsure:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: charliebear on April 20, 2009, 11:31:31 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 20, 2009, 11:00:45 AM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2009, 10:51:14 AM

Well-written?  Maybe by 18th century standards.  Do you ever wonder why 75% of the "Wealth of Nations" quotes are about the butcher and his lack of benevolence?  It's because this example appears almost at the very beginning of the book.

I found it clear and easy to understand.  :unsure:

Of course you did.   :hug:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Jacob on April 20, 2009, 01:22:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on April 19, 2009, 08:36:47 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 19, 2009, 08:34:26 PM
Barack is right, and thankfully he is less confrontational than I am.

I don't think he is right in this instance.  We've nothing to gain from Chavez.

You're surpisingly unsophisticated on this.  Being less than confrontational towards Chavez is not necessarily motivated by gaining anything from him; it could well cause gains in other areas (for example with other Latin American nations who take a dim view of blustery US diplomacy in the area).
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 01:26:06 PM
Who are the two Americans that seem to be able to evangelize books amongst the terrible, ignorant, semi-literate masses?

Oprah and Obama.

White culture has been defeated. :cry:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: garbon on April 20, 2009, 01:31:09 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2009, 01:22:15 PM
You're surpisingly unsophisticated on this.  Being less than confrontational towards Chavez is not necessarily motivated by gaining anything from him; it could well cause gains in other areas (for example with other Latin American nations who take a dim view of blustery US diplomacy in the area).

The last time we had an ambassador in Venezuela, Chavez booted him citing that America was plotting to overthrow him.  What would prevent him from doing the same with a new ambassador (which would help him to rally supporters as it is easy to rally around an external threat)?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: dps on April 20, 2009, 01:34:28 PM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 20, 2009, 11:00:45 AM
Quote from: DGuller on April 20, 2009, 10:51:14 AM

Well-written?  Maybe by 18th century standards.  Do you ever wonder why 75% of the "Wealth of Nations" quotes are about the butcher and his lack of benevolence?  It's because this example appears almost at the very beginning of the book.

I found it clear and easy to understand.  :unsure:

Apparantly (and unsurprisingly),  your reading comprehension is better that DorseyGuller's.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: DGuller on April 20, 2009, 02:10:13 PM
Quote from: dps on April 20, 2009, 01:34:28 PM
Apparantly (and unsurprisingly),  your reading comprehension is better that DorseyGuller's.
:unsure:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Wealth of Nations sux. As all educated people know Swedish politician/economist/pastor Anders Chydenius wrote about the invisible hand (not using that term) years before Adam Faggot-Smith put pen to paper.

The National Gain, 1765. Note the title. Coinkidink?

http://www.chydenius.net/historia/teokset/e_kansallinen_johdanto.asp
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Wealth of Nations sux. As all educated people know Swedish politician/economist/pastor Anders Chydenius wrote about the invisible hand (not using that term) years before Adam Faggot-Smith put pen to paper.

The National Gain, 1765. Note the title. Coinkidink?

http://www.chydenius.net/historia/teokset/e_kansallinen_johdanto.asp
Maybe he should have published it in the West, in one of the two civilized languages, rather than in an adjunct of Russia.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:27:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Wealth of Nations sux. As all educated people know Swedish politician/economist/pastor Anders Chydenius wrote about the invisible hand (not using that term) years before Adam Faggot-Smith put pen to paper.

The National Gain, 1765. Note the title. Coinkidink?

http://www.chydenius.net/historia/teokset/e_kansallinen_johdanto.asp
Maybe he should have published it in the West, in one of the two civilized languages, rather than in an adjunct of Russia.

Your Troll Fu is weak. :console:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:31:10 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:27:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Wealth of Nations sux. As all educated people know Swedish politician/economist/pastor Anders Chydenius wrote about the invisible hand (not using that term) years before Adam Faggot-Smith put pen to paper.

The National Gain, 1765. Note the title. Coinkidink?

http://www.chydenius.net/historia/teokset/e_kansallinen_johdanto.asp
Maybe he should have published it in the West, in one of the two civilized languages, rather than in an adjunct of Russia.

Your Troll Fu is weak. :console:
And your country is bad at hockey.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:34:27 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:31:10 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:27:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 20, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Wealth of Nations sux. As all educated people know Swedish politician/economist/pastor Anders Chydenius wrote about the invisible hand (not using that term) years before Adam Faggot-Smith put pen to paper.

The National Gain, 1765. Note the title. Coinkidink?

http://www.chydenius.net/historia/teokset/e_kansallinen_johdanto.asp
Maybe he should have published it in the West, in one of the two civilized languages, rather than in an adjunct of Russia.

Your Troll Fu is weak. :console:
And your country is bad at hockey.

:yes: Especially regular.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 02:48:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2009, 01:22:15 PM
You're surpisingly unsophisticated on this.  Being less than confrontational towards Chavez is not necessarily motivated by gaining anything from him; it could well cause gains in other areas (for example with other Latin American nations who take a dim view of blustery US diplomacy in the area).

Where you think garbon is unsophisticated, I think you're naive.  I doubt the buddy-buddy approach with Chavez in particular and vague apologies in general is going to achieve anything for the U.S. in Latin America.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 02:51:11 PM
Quote from: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 02:48:13 PM
Where you think garbon is unsophisticated, I think you're naive.  I doubt the buddy-buddy approach with Chavez in particular and vague apologies in general is going to achieve anything for the U.S. in Latin America.

I think you are moving the goal posts a bit.  There is a difference between saying those things might not hurt or might be helpful under certain contexts with saying that those things are going to achieve anything.  Actual policies of cooperation will do something not gestures, I doubt anybody feels differently.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Berkut on April 20, 2009, 02:55:16 PM
Quote from: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 02:48:13 PM
Quote from: Jacob on April 20, 2009, 01:22:15 PM
You're surpisingly unsophisticated on this.  Being less than confrontational towards Chavez is not necessarily motivated by gaining anything from him; it could well cause gains in other areas (for example with other Latin American nations who take a dim view of blustery US diplomacy in the area).

Where you think garbon is unsophisticated, I think you're naive.  I doubt the buddy-buddy approach with Chavez in particular and vague apologies in general is going to achieve anything for the U.S. in Latin America.

It isn't a buddy-buddy approach, it is a condescending ignore the pest approach.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: saskganesh on April 20, 2009, 03:17:06 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 19, 2009, 01:25:07 PM
Indonesian? Great.

Merkel: Barack, how about this new arms deal?

Obama: WINDJAMMER ORGASM!

Merkel: Excuse me?

Obama: FOOT TWIST CATAMARAN!


:lol:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 04:20:03 PM
Quote from: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 02:51:11 PM
Quote from: derspiess on April 20, 2009, 02:48:13 PM
Where you think garbon is unsophisticated, I think you're naive.  I doubt the buddy-buddy approach with Chavez in particular and vague apologies in general is going to achieve anything for the U.S. in Latin America.

I think you are moving the goal posts a bit.  There is a difference between saying those things might not hurt or might be helpful under certain contexts with saying that those things are going to achieve anything.  Actual policies of cooperation will do something not gestures, I doubt anybody feels differently.

:huh:  I was responding to the part where Jacob said this could somehow help us with other Latin American countries.  My response was that it won't achieve anything.  How is that moving the goal posts?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 05:12:43 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 20, 2009, 04:43:00 PM
Neil, Seigy, I kind you not but I heard this exact same exchange at Speakers Corner yesterday, though one of the protagonists was a rapid female english nationalist and the other a semi-orthodox Jew; he really did call the English barbarians compared to the civilized Jews who where building solomans temple at the time. And on of here retorts was the Jews were a tiny/very small sect/tribe. (can't remember her exact words)
When I swung back through London on my way home, I spent a night at a hotel just across Bayswater Road from Hyde Park.  I found the idea of Speaker's Corner interesting, so I stopped by to listen to a member of your Socialist Party harangue me.

At any rate, it's common for members of the ancient Mediterranean civilizations to try and claim the achievements of their ancestors as proof of their own worthiness.  Of course, all of the Mediterranean civilizations were rude and pitiful anyways, which is why their decendents speak Turkish (or actually ARE Turkish), Arabic or worst of all, Italian!
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 20, 2009, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 20, 2009, 04:43:00 PM

a rapid female english nationalist
What the difference compared to a slow English nationalist?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 05:15:06 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 20, 2009, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 20, 2009, 04:43:00 PM

a rapid female english nationalist
What the difference compared to a slow English nationalist?
Obviously her speed. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: mongers on April 20, 2009, 06:59:17 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 05:12:43 PM
When I swung back through London on my way home, I spent a night at a hotel just across Bayswater Road from Hyde Park.  I found the idea of Speaker's Corner interesting, so I stopped by to listen to a member of your Socialist Party harangue me.

Which one was it the british socialist party or the peoples liberation socialist party ?
:P


Maybe this one:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_XHuD5daWTjM%2FSeufp3jKj5I%2FAAAAAAAAAW4%2Fi4rYj5wAXLY%2Fs640%2FPICT0040.JPG&hash=1978a8d1ff194c9d9d07b002f4bca07700eceb31)

or him:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_XHuD5daWTjM%2FSeufcQNqDtI%2FAAAAAAAAAUs%2FMheLLAaf0Uc%2Fs512%2FPICT0019.JPG&hash=2d305897e5d4d05569696769cfa57e33846be5be)


?
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Neil on April 20, 2009, 07:07:16 PM
Actually, I'm pretty sure it was that second guy.  :lol:

Still, it's funny to see what the extreme left has come to.  All the people trying to speak and organize are old, while the youth is primarily interested in getting high and having a riot.
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: mongers on April 20, 2009, 07:11:28 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 07:07:16 PM
Actually, I'm pretty sure it was that second guy.  :lol:

Still, it's funny to see what the extreme left has come to.  All the people trying to speak and organize are old, while the youth is primarily interested in getting high and having a riot.

Too true, though I think I'd modify it somewhat and say the younger ones there, turn to religion.

This will be Sheilbh in 50 years time:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_XHuD5daWTjM%2FSeufhNCfofI%2FAAAAAAAAAVg%2FFK5QjfSeb6I%2Fs512%2FPICT0028.JPG&hash=62b04968a2a73d9ecfba459726a1dd044fd3e7bd)
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: jimmy olsen on April 20, 2009, 08:00:09 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 05:15:06 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 20, 2009, 05:13:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on April 20, 2009, 04:43:00 PM

a rapid female english nationalist
What the difference compared to a slow English nationalist?
Obviously her speed. :rolleyes:
:lol: Nice
Title: Re: Chavez's gift to Obama swiftly becomes best-seller
Post by: Sheilbh on April 21, 2009, 01:14:56 AM
Quote from: Berkut on April 20, 2009, 02:55:16 PM
It isn't a buddy-buddy approach, it is a condescending ignore the pest approach.
I agree, I've always found the amount of attention Chavez gets a bit preposterous.  Especially given the lack of attentions someone like Lula gets most of the time, despite being sane.